VARCO INTERNATIONAL INC
10-K, 1998-03-26
OIL & GAS FIELD MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(MARK ONE)

[X]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

                                       OR
                                        
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
     ACT OF 1934


    For the transition period from _________________ to ___________________
                         Commission file number 1-8158


                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


       CALIFORNIA                                  95-0472620
  (state or other jurisdiction            (I.R.S. Employer Identification
of incorporation or organization)                    Number)


   743 NORTH ECKHOFF STREET,                          92868
       ORANGE, CALIFORNIA                           (ZIP CODE)
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (714) 978-1900

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


                                           NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
     TITLE OF EACH CLASS                    ON WHICH REGISTERED
     -------------------                  ------------------------
     Common Stock                         New York Stock Exchange
     Preferred Stock Purchase Rights      New York Stock Exchange


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:   None


  INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS. YES   X       NO 
                                              ----         ----
<PAGE>
 
  Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K ((S)229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will
not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or
information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [  ]

  As of March 2, 1998, 64,251,600 shares of common stock were outstanding. The
aggregate market value of the common stock on such date (based upon the closing
price of such shares on the New York Stock Exchange) held by persons other than
affiliates of registrant was approximately $1.583 billion; the basis of this
calculation does not constitute a determination by the registrant that such
persons are affiliates, as defined in Rule 405.


                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part II, Items 5, 6, 7 and 8              The Company's Annual Report to
                                          Shareholders for the year ended
                                          December 31, 1997.

Part III, Items 10, 11, 12 and 13         The Company's definitive Proxy
                                          Statement for the Annual Meeting of
                                          Shareholders to be held on May 19,
                                          1998 to be filed with the Commission
                                          not later than April 30, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1. Business

Introduction

  Varco was founded in 1908 and incorporated under the laws of the State of
California in 1911. Varco and its subsidiaries are engaged in the design,
manufacture, sale and rental of drilling tools, equipment and integrated systems
and rig instrumentation used for oil and gas drilling worldwide.

  The Company's principal products are drilling equipment, drilling rig
instrumentation and controls, pressure control and motion compensation equipment
and solids control equipment. Drilling equipment includes integrated systems for
rotating and handling the various sizes and types of pipe utilized on a drilling
rig ("drilling systems") and specific purpose pipe handling tools, hoisting
equipment and rotary equipment ("oil tools"). Drilling systems are manufactured,
sold and rented by the Varco Drilling Systems Division while oil tools are
manufactured and sold by the Varco BJ Oil Tools Division. Drilling rig
instrumentation and control products are manufactured, sold and rented by the
Martin-Decker/TOTCO Division. Pressure control and motion compensation equipment
are manufactured and sold by the Shaffer Division. Solids control equipment and
systems are sold by the Thule Rigtech Division.

  The following table sets forth the contribution to the Company's total
revenues of its five Divisions:
                                        
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,     
                                            ----------------------------                         
                                                                                    1997       1996       1995   
                                                                                  --------   --------   -------- 
                                                                                          (IN THOUSANDS)         
<S>                                                                               <C>        <C>        <C>      
Varco Drilling Systems                                                            $165,510   $117,658   $101,440 
Varco BJ Oil Tools                                                                  68,931     53,830     41,663 
Martin-Decker/TOTCO                                                                 90,601     62,227     58,013 
Shaffer                                                                            206,483    123,846     60,925 
Thule Rigtech                                                                       13,372      9,419     10,310 
                                                                                  ------------------------------ 
                                                                                  $544,897   $366,980   $272,351 
                                                                                  ========   ========   ========  
</TABLE>

  Sales of the Company's products depend on the level of construction of new
drilling rigs and the replacement and upgrading of equipment for existing rigs,
particularly for offshore rigs and intermediate to deep land rigs (rigs designed
for drilling in excess of 8,000 feet). The level of construction of drilling
rigs and the rate at which equipment on existing rigs is replaced or upgraded
depends, in substantial part, on the level of worldwide exploration and
development drilling activity. Rental revenue, which is generated predominately
by the Martin-Decker/TOTCO Division, is directly related to the level of
drilling activity, particularly in the U.S. and Canada. Sales of equipment and
sales and rentals of instrumentation products have also depended on the design,
development and successful introduction of new products for the drilling
industry. Equipment and instrumentation are also sold to existing rigs for use
as spare or replacement parts.

  The level of worldwide drilling activity can be influenced by numerous
factors, including economic and political conditions, the prices of oil and gas,
finding and development costs of oil companies, development of alternative
energy sources, availability of equipment and materials, availability of new
onshore and offshore acreage or concessions, and new and continued governmental
regulations regarding environmental protection,

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<PAGE>
 
taxation, price controls and product allocations. See "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


The Drilling Process

  An oil or gas well is drilled by a bit attached to the end of the drill stem
which is made up of 30-foot lengths of drill pipe joined by threaded connections
known as "tool joints." Heavy drill collars at the bottom of the drill stem put
weight on the bit. Using the conventional rotary drilling method, the drill stem
is turned from the rotary table in the floor of the drilling rig by torque
applied to the "kelly" (a square or hexagonal section of pipe located at the
top of the drill stem) by means of the master bushing and kelly bushing. During
the drilling process heavy fluids ("drilling mud") are pumped down through the
drill stem and forced out through the bit. The drilling mud returns to the
surface through the hole area surrounding the drill stem, carrying with it the
cuttings drilled out by the bit. The cuttings are removed from the mud by a
filtering system and the mud is continuously recirculated back into the hole.
The drilling mud also serves to contain pressure surges ("kicks") that may
intrude into the formation.

  As the hole depth increases, the kelly must be removed frequently so that
additional 30-foot sections of pipe can be added to the drill stem, which may
reach lengths in excess of five miles. When the bit becomes dull, the entire
drill stem is pulled out of the hole and disassembled, the disconnected sections
of pipe are set aside or "racked," the old bit is replaced and the drill stem
reassembled and lowered back into the hole (a process called "tripping"). During
drilling and tripping operations, tool joints must be screwed together and
tightened ("spun in" and "made up"), and loosened and unscrewed ("broken out"
and "spun out"). When the hole has reached certain depths, all of the drill pipe
is pulled out of the hole and larger diameter pipe known as casing is lowered
into the hole and cemented in place in order to protect against collapse and
contamination of the hole.

  The raising and lowering of the drill stem while drilling or tripping, and
the lowering of casing into the well bore, are accomplished with the rig's
hoisting system. A conventional hoisting system is a block and tackle mechanism
and the derrick must have sufficient structural integrity to support the entire
weight of the drill stem or casing string.

  During the drilling process it is possible for formation fluids, such as
natural gas, water or oil, to get into the wellbore creating additional pressure
which, if not controlled, could lead to a "blowout" of the well. To prevent
blowouts a series of high-pressure valves known as blowout preventers ("BOPs")
are positioned at the top of the well and, when activated, form pressure tight
seals which prevent the escape of fluids. When closed, conventional BOPs prevent
normal rig operations and are activated only if drilling mud and normal well
control procedures cannot safely contain the pressure. BOPs must be designed to
contain pressure of up to 15,000 psi.

  After the well has reached its total depth and the final section of casing
has been set, the drilling rig is moved off of the well and the well is prepared
to begin producing oil or gas in a process known as "well completion." A
producing well may undergo workover procedures to extend its life and increase
its production rate.

  The Top Drive Drilling System, originally introduced by Varco in 1982,
significantly alters the traditional drilling process. Using the Top Drive
Drilling System, the drill stem is rotated from its top by means of a large
electric motor. This motor is affixed to rails installed in the derrick and
traverses from near the top of the derrick to the rig floor as the drill stem
penetrates the earth. Therefore, the Top Drive eliminates the use of the rotary
table for drilling. Components of the Top Drive also are used to connect
additional lengths of pipe to the drill stem during drilling operations.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Varco Drilling Systems

The Varco Drilling Systems Division designs and manufactures integrated systems
for rotating and handling the various sizes and types of pipe used on a drilling
rig.  They are designed to enhance the safety and productivity of the drilling
rig through mechanization and automation.

  The Varco Top Drive Drilling System ("TDS") combines elements of pipe handling
tools, as well as hoisting and rotary equipment, in a single system. Torque to
turn the drill stem is imparted directly by means of a large electric motor
which moves up and down along rails installed in the derrick and into which the
drill stem is connected.  During drilling operations, elements of the TDS
perform functions such as spinning-in and making-up tool joints.  It also
incorporates a drill pipe elevator, providing the capability to maneuver a stand
of pipe into position to be added to the drill string when drilling, or to hold
and hoist the entire drill stem.  Drilling with a Top Drive Drilling System
provides several advantages over conventional drilling.  It enables drilling
with three lengths of drill pipe, reducing by two-thirds the time spent in
making connections of drill pipe.  In addition it facilitates "horizontal" and
"extended reach" drilling (the practice of drilling wells which deviate
substantially from the vertical) by providing the ability to rotate the pipe as
it is removed from, or replaced into, the hole, thus reducing friction and the
incidence of pipe sticking. The Top Drive Drilling System also increases the
safety of drilling operations.

  The Top Drive Drilling System has demonstrated substantial economic
advantages.  Users of the system generally report reductions in drilling time
ranging from 20% to 40%.  By facilitating extended reach drilling, the TDS
increases the area which can be drilled from a given location, such as a fixed
platform or man-made island.  Thus, the production from a given reservoir of oil
can be increased and the number of costly fixed platforms required to develop
the field can be minimized.

  The Top Drive Drilling System has evolved continuously since its initial
introduction.  Today, the Top Drive product line includes several models, each
designed to satisfy specific customer requirements.  The version initially
introduced to the market in 1982, the TDS-3, remains a part of the product line.
The TDS-4, introduced in 1990, is a two-speed model which permits a variation in
speed and torque that is desirable for differing drilling conditions.  The TDS-
6S, first delivered in 1991,  is a dual motor version which provides double the
power and torque of a single motor unit.  The TDS-7S, initially introduced in
1993, is powered by an alternating current ("AC") motor instead of the direct
current ("DC") motor used on previous models.  In the fourth quarter of 1997 the
first TDS-8S was delivered.  The TDS-8S is the AC motor version of Drilling
Systems' most popular Top Drive, the TDS-4S.  The AC system offers lower
maintenance cost, as well as providing higher torque for longer periods and a
running speed more than twice that of conventional DC motor powered systems.

  The Integrated Drilling System ("IDS") is an adaptation of the Top Drive
concept which is more compact than its Top Drive counterparts, and which is
affixed to a separately installed torque tube rather than rails permanently
installed in the derrick.  It can be used on rigs which are smaller and which do
not have the structural integrity necessary to support a traditional Top Drive.

  In 1995 the TDS-9S was introduced.  It is powered by dual AC motors, is
reduced in length and rides on a separately installed torque tube.  For these
reasons it is especially well suited for sale or rental to the conventional land
rig market, where portability is critical. It is designed for ease of
installation in existing derricks, can be rigged up and rigged down in a matter
of hours, and is easily transported from one location to another. Fifteen TDS-9S
units were shipped in 1997. During 1997 the TDS-10S was introduced. The TDS-10S
is a smaller version of the TDS-9S designed for use in a variety of smaller land
and workover rig applications. The TDS-10S has a 250-ton hoisting capacity as
compared to the 400-ton hoisting capacity of the TDS-9S. Two units of the TDS-
10S were shipped in 1997.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Pipe racking systems are used to handle drill pipe, casing and other types of
pipe (collectively "tubulars") on a drilling rig.  Vertical pipe racking systems
move drill pipe and casing between the well and a storage ("racking") area on
the rig floor.  Horizontal racking systems are used to handle tubulars while
stored horizontally (for example, on the pipe deck of an offshore rig) and
transport it up to the rig floor and raise it to a vertical position from which
it may be passed to a vertical racking system.

Mechanical vertical pipe racking systems include those developed and sold by BJ
Machinery prior to its acquisition by Varco in 1988.  Such systems reduce, but
do not eliminate, the manual effort involved in pipe handling.  The Pipe
Handling Machine ("PHM"), introduced by Varco in 1985, provides a fully
automated mechanism for handling and racking of drill pipe and drill collars
during drilling and tripping operations.  It incorporates the spinning and
torquing functions of the Automated Roughneck with the automatic hoisting and
racking of disconnected sections of pipe.  These functions are integrated via
computer controlled sequencing, and the Pipe Handling Machine is operated by a
person in an environmentally secure cabin.

The Automated Roughneck is an automated version of the Iron Roughneck(R), which
was originally introduced by Varco in 1976.  It is a microprocessor controlled
device which automatically performs the torquing and spinning functions required
to connect and disconnect sections of drill pipe during drilling and tripping
operations, as well as during the setting of casing.

The Pipe Racking System ("PRS") is a semi-automated vertical pipe racking system
which has evolved from the "Star" system to which the Company acquired the
rights in 1990.  When used in conjunction with an Automated Roughneck, it
provides an alternative to the more fully automated PHM.  Like the PHM, it is
operated remotely from the driller's cabin by a single operator, but it requires
more operator intervention.  Its design makes it more easily adapted to a land
rig or for retrofitting to an existing offshore rig.  The current version of the
PRS was introduced in 1996.  Seven units of the PRS were delivered in 1997.

Vertical pipe racking systems are used predominantly on offshore rigs and are
virtually mandatory on floating rigs such as semisubmersibles. Horizontal pipe
racking systems were introduced by Varco in 1993.  They include the Pipe Deck
Machine ("Pipe Mite") which is used to manipulate and move tubulars while stored
in a horizontal position; the Pipe Conveyor which transports sections of pipe to
the rig floor; and a Pickup Laydown System ("PLS") which raises the pipe to a
vertical position for transfer to a vertical racking system.  These components
may be employed separately, or incorporated together to form a complete
horizontal racking system, known as the Pipe Transfer System ("PTS").


Varco BJ Oil Tools

The Varco BJ Oil Tools product line consists of a full complement of
conventional rig tools and equipment. It was formed by the combination of the
original Varco oil tool products and the related products acquired in the BJ
Machinery Division and the Martin-Decker Division acquisitions. These products
include pipe handling tools, hoisting equipment and rotary equipment.

Varco's pipe handling tools are designed to enhance the safety, efficiency and
reliability of pipe handling operations. Many of these tools have provided
innovative methods of performing the designated task through mechanization of
functions previously performed manually.

Varco BJ Oil Tools manufactures various tools used in the making up and breaking
out of drill pipe, including spinning wrenches, manual tongs, torque wrenches
and kelly spinners. The spinning wrench is a tool used to screw together and
unscrew sections of drill pipe. Powered pneumatically or hydraulically, it
replaces a

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
hazardous device known as a spinning chain. Manual tongs are used to make up or
break out tool joints, while the torque wrench is a hydraulically powered device
which performs this function with enhanced safety and precision. The kelly
spinner is a pneumatically or hydraulically powered tool used to connect and
disconnect the kelly to and from the drill stem as additional lengths of pipe
are added while drilling.

The Company also manufactures other tools used in various pipe handling
functions. Slips are gripping devices which hold pipe or casing in suspension
while in the hole, and they may be either manual, spring or hydraulically
operated. Other products, which include safety clamps, casing bushings and
casing bowls, are used to hold and guide drill pipe or casing while in the hole.

When drilling, tripping or setting casing, lengths of pipe must be hoisted into
position above the hole, lowered into or lifted from the hole and held in
suspension while in the hole. Hoisting equipment includes devices used to grip
and hold various types of pipe ("tubulars") while being raised or lowered. Drill
pipe elevators are used to hold lengths of drill pipe as they are hoisted into
position to be attached to the drill stem, and to hold the entire drill stem as
it is lowered into or lifted from the hole. Similarly, casing elevators and
spiders are gripping devices used to hold the casing as additional lengths are
added and lowered into the hole. Links are elongated steel forgings from which
the elevator is suspended and which, in turn, hangs from beneath the hook which
is connected to the hoisting mechanism of the drilling rig. The Company
manufactures elevators to accommodate a variety of tubulars, as well as a
complete line of links and hooks, together with casing elevators and spiders, to
handle a variety of casing sizes and accommodate casing weighing up to 1,000
tons.

Varco BJ Oil Tools expanded its casing spider line in 1994 with the introduction
of the Flush Mounted Spider ("FMS 375"). It is designed to improve safety and
efficiency during casing operations, by eliminating scaffolding which otherwise
must be used as a raised work platform for the rig crew.

During 1996 the Varco BJ Oil Tools product line was further expanded with the
introduction of the BX Hydraulic Elevator and the PS 21 and PS 30 Hydraulic
Power Slips.  The BX Hydraulic Elevator increases safety and eliminates the
normal rig complement of several different types and sizes of elevators through
the use of removable bushings. The PS 21 and PS 30 Power Slips improve both
safety and rig efficiency by permitting the handling of all sizes and types of
tubulars with a single tool and by incorporating the FMS concept. During 1997 48
BX elevators, 17 PS 21's  and 4 PS 30's were delivered to customers.

Rotary equipment products consist of kelly bushings and master bushings. The
kelly bushing applies torque to the kelly to rotate the drill stem and fits in
the master bushing which is turned by the rotary table on the floor of the rig.
Varco produces kelly bushings and master bushings for most sizes of kellys and
makes of rotary tables.

A substantial portion of the Company's sales in some of the Oil Tools  products
is attributable to sales of replacement parts which are subject to normal wear
and to sales of spare parts. Replacement parts for kelly bushings, rotary slips,
casing tools and spinning wrenches are a material part of the sales of those
product lines.


Martin-Decker/TOTCO

The Martin-Decker/TOTCO Division designs, manufactures and sells or rents
hydraulic and electronic  instrumentation and control systems, primarily for use
in oil and gas well drilling operations; and, to a lesser extent, provides
instrumentation to certain general industrial markets and for use in non-
drilling related oilfield applications.

A drilling rig instrumentation package is generally comprised of four elements:
(1) sensors, which measure selected variables at the point of origin; (2) a
mechanical or electronic means of transmitting that data to the

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
display device; (3) a display, which may range in sophistication from a simple
gauge to a computer terminal or workstation; and (4) a method for permanently
recording and/or electronically transmitting the data for subsequent review and
analysis. This equipment must be sufficiently rugged to withstand the hostile
environmental conditions of a drilling rig.

The driller relies on certain instruments to provide information critical to the
operation of the drilling rig. At a minimum, this information includes the
status of such basic data as weight-on-bit, rotary RPM, rotary torque, hook
load, rate of penetration, mud pit volume, and mud flow. The indicators which
display this data are generally contained in a common housing called a drilling
console. A drilling console may range in sophistication from a collection of
analog gauges to a microprocessor based system such as the Martin-Decker/TOTCO
"Spectrum 1000".

Computer based electronic data acquisition systems provide real-time  analysis
and display of the various drilling data at the driller's station, as well as
other locations around the rig. In 1991 Martin-Decker/TOTCO introduced the TOTAL
system, a computer-based data acquisition system incorporating up to date
electronic technology with comprehensive analytical capabilities. The emphasis
in TOTAL is on the analysis and interpretation of data via computer software, so
that the information displayed to the driller enables him to operate the rig
more safely and efficiently.

In 1992, the Company licensed from the Sedco Forex Division of Schlumberger
Limited the rights to develop, manufacture and market the MDS(TM) System, an
advanced computer-based drilling information and alarm system which is
integrated with TOTAL. Its software programs incorporate the knowledge and
experience of drilling personnel and engineers to provide critical information
in a user-friendly format.

In addition to MDS(TM) a number of additional analytical capabilities have been
developed for the TOTAL System. Drill-Off, a computerized drilling optimization
program was jointly developed by Martin-Decker/TOTCO and Exxon. An agreement
with Schlumberger's Anadril Division, authorizing MD/TOTCO to manufacture and
market a sophisticated kick detection system known as Kick-Alert(SM) was
finalized in 1993. A joint effort by Martin-Decker/TOTCO and British Petroleum
to incorporate a software program known as Early Kick Detection (EKD) on the
TOTAL system was completed in 1995. An exclusive Worldwide Marketing agreement
with Logware, Inc. to market a Windows(TM) based drilling information system was
completed in 1993.

The TOTAL system is designed so that it may be scaled to the requirements  of a
particular drilling operation. For relatively routine drilling requirements it
can represent a cost-effective means of providing basic information; however, it
can be expanded to encompass the full range of analytical capability for complex
and costly offshore drilling.

Other drilling related products of Martin-Decker/TOTCO include drift indicators,
which are used to measure and record the degree of drift of the well from
vertical; mechanical recorders, which produce a permanent record in chart form
when an electronic system is not being used; drilling control systems (auto-
drillers) which automatically maintain a constant pressure on the drill bit, and
drilling chokes which provide a remotely actuated method of controlling "kicks."

In 1997 Martin-Decker/TOTCO introduced a product called SWIFT ("Secure Wellsite
Information Forwarding Technology") which provides for the transmission of
drilling information collected at the rig site to a remote location over the
Internet, thus creating a closer linkage between the drilling operation and
those responsible for its management. The initial SWIFT is expected to be
delivered in early 1998.

In 1997 Martin-Decker/TOTCO also introduced the Varco Integrated Control and
Information System ("V-ICIS"), a computer-based system which combines the
physical control of all of Varco's automated equipment,

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
and potentially that of third parties, into a common, user-friendly system which
also integrates the analytical capabilities of the TOTAL system. The initial
system is expected to be delivered in early 1998.

Products of the Martin-Decker/TOTCO Division used outside  the drilling process
include load and radius indicating systems for pedestal type cranes, anchor
tension monitoring systems for use in mooring and positioning applications, and
specialty scales for industrial use.

In August 1993, the Company acquired all the outstanding shares of Metrox, Inc.,
a manufacturer of strain gauge systems. The acquisition of strain gauge
technology provides further penetration into the industrial crane and weight
monitoring markets as well as enhancing the overall Martin-Decker/TOTCO sensor
technology.  Strain gauge sensors provide an extremely precise measurement of
many parameters critical to the drilling operations.

Drilling consoles, and recently, the V-ICIS product, are typically sold as
original equipment to the rig manufacturer. However, electronic drilling
consoles may be sold as upgrades to existing rigs. In the United States and
Canada, most other instrumentation products are rented to the drilling
contractor or oil company when necessary, and are therefore not permanently
installed on the rig. Internationally, nearly all instrumentation equipment is
sold to the rig owner and becomes a permanent part of the drilling rig. A
significant portion of the sales of some instrumentation product lines is in
spare and replacement parts.


Shaffer

The Shaffer Division designs, manufactures, sells and distributes pressure
control equipment, (including ram blowout preventers, annular or spherical
blowout preventers and rotating blowout preventers); blowout preventer control
systems; riser; and motion compensation systems (including riser tensioners,
drillstring compensators and crown mounted compensators).

Blowout preventers ("BOPs") are devices used to seal the space between the drill
string and the borehole to prevent an uncontrolled flow of formation fluids and
gases. Shaffer manufactures three types of BOPs. Ram and annular BOPs are back-
up devices and are activated only if other techniques for controlling pressure
in the well bore are inadequate. When closed, these devices prevent normal rig
operations. Ram BOPs seal the wellbore by hydraulically closing rams against
each other across the wellbore.  Specially designed packers seal around specific
sizes of pipe in the wellbore, shear pipe in the wellbore or close off an open
hole. Annular BOPs seal the wellbore by hydraulically closing a rubber packing
unit around the drill pipe or kelly or by sealing against itself if nothing is
in the hole. The rotating BOP allows operators to drill or strip into or out of
the well at low pressures without interrupting normal operations.

Shaffer expanded its BOP line in 1995 with the introduction of a system for
achieving Pressure Control While Drilling (PCWD(R)). This new BOP allows normal
drilling operations to proceed while controlling pressures up to 2,000 psi, and
will operate as a normal Spherical BOP at pressures up to 5,000 psi. During 1997
PCWD revenue was approximately $500,000.

Shaffer sells conventional BOP control systems under the registered trademark
Koomey(R). The Koomey control system is hydraulically actuated and is used to
remotely operate BOPs and associated valves for both land systems and offshore
systems. With the recent increase in deep-water drilling depths, traditional
hydraulic control systems are inadequate to activate BOPs, which rest on the
ocean floor and may be 5,000 feet or more below the surface. In 1997, Shaffer
introduced the IVth Generation MUX, an electronic control system designed
specifically for deep-water applications. One such system was delivered in 1997.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Riser is large diameter pipe which, when drilling from a floating rig such as a
semisubmersible or drillship, connects the rig to the well on the ocean floor.
Therefore, the riser string, which consists of sections approximately 75
feet in length connected together, may extend to as much as 10,000 feet.
Shaffer purchases the blank pipe, manufactures and attaches connectors to each
section, and completes it with the attachment of related components.

Shaffer sells motion compensation equipment under the registered trademark
Rucker(R). Motion compensation equipment stabilizes the bit on the bottom of the
hole, increasing drilling effectiveness of floating offshore rigs by
compensating for wave and wind action. Shaffer also manufactures tensioners
which provide continuous reliable axial tension to the marine riser pipe and
guide lines on floating drilling rigs, tension leg platforms and jack-up rigs.
An important product extension in 1996 was the Riser Recoil System, which
provides a safe disconnect when the floating rig encounters an unanticipated
need to leave location.

Shaffer also manufactures and sells flowline devices, primarily Best(TM) chokes,
used in the production phase of the oil and gas industry. These chokes are
designed for both topside-platform and subsea production, for both standard
service and sulfur (H2S) service. Prior to 1993, these chokes were manufactured
and sold by Varco BJ Oil Tools.

Sales of spare and replacement parts, and the repair and reconditioning of used
equipment constitute a significant part of Shaffer's revenue.


Thule Rigtech

The Thule Rigtech Division designs, sells and rents equipment for use in  the
mixing, handling, transport and cleaning of drilling fluid ("mud") used in the
drilling process. This equipment includes shale shakers, mud cleaners,
hydrocyclones, fume extraction hoods, mud chemical handling systems and
automated mud system controls. Thule Rigtech products are generally
subcontracted to third parties for manufacturing.

In the drilling operation, mud is pumped down the drill pipe and through  the
holes in the drill bit. The mud acts as a lubricant to the drill bit, as a
pressure equalizer and as a vehicle which carries the drilled cuttings back to
the surface. Shale shakers are the principal machines used to clean the cuttings
from the mud, enabling it to be reused. The VSM 100 is designed to pass large
volumes of mud over fine mesh screens to extract as many of the cuttings as
possible from the mud, thus avoiding the use of the other filtering processes
before the mud is recirculated. Other equipment that may be employed to remove
cuttings are the VSM 200 mud cleaner and de-sander and de-silter hydrocyclones.
During 1997 Thule Rigtech introduced the VSM 300, a new generation shale shaker
designed to operate more efficiently in a wider variety of geologic conditions.
In 1997 32 units were sold.

The AMS 2000 mud chemical handling system is designed to handle, store and mix
mud chemicals. The mud chemicals are provided to the rig in 1-ton bags which are
placed in a hopper fitted with a vibrating mechanism. A computer controlled
valve in the base of the bag is used to discharge the chemical powder to the mud
mixer at the desired rate. The AMS 2000 eliminates the manual handling of large
sacks of powdered chemicals, improving efficiency and reducing exposure to a
potentially hazardous work environment.

The AMS 1000 automated mud system is a computer controlled system which oversees
and controls the entire mud function. The aim of the system is to release
manpower from manual operations while continuously monitoring the process to
ensure that it is performing properly. During 1997 Thule Rigtech booked orders
for three automated systems, all of which are expected to be completed in 1998.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Thule Rigtech equipment and systems are designed to minimize the cost of
drilling through lowering mud costs and improving operational efficiency, while
at the same time reducing the labor requirement and improving the safety of the
drilling operation.


Research and New Product Development

Varco believes that it is a leader in the development of new technology and
equipment to enhance the safety and productivity of the drilling process, and
that its sales and earnings have been dependent, in part, upon the successful
introduction of new or improved products. Varco's significant product
developments have included the safety spinning wrench, the torque wrench, the
spring slip, pneumatically operated casing elevators and spiders, the Automated
Roughneck, the Top Drive Drilling System, the Pipe Handling Machine and the
TOTAL system. At December 31, 1997 the Company employed 330 persons on its
engineering and design staffs who were principally engaged in research and
development. Total expenditures for research and development were $21.1 million
in 1997, $14.3 million in 1996 and $13.2 million in 1995.

As of December 31, 1997 the Company held 125 United States patents and had 3
patent applications pending. Expiration dates of such patents range from 1998 to
2014. As of such date the Company also had 168 foreign patents and 19 patent
applications pending relating to inventions covered by the United States
patents. The preceding include patent rights received in connection with the BJ
Machinery, Martin-Decker, TOTCO and Shaffer acquisitions. There are no
assurances that patents will be granted in response to pending applications.

Although the Company believes that its patents and applications have value,
competitive products with different designs have been successfully developed and
marketed by others. The Company considers the quality and timely delivery of its
products, the service it provides to its customers and the technical knowledge
and skills of its personnel to be more important than its patents in its ability
to compete. While the Company stresses the importance of its research and
development programs, the expense and market uncertainties associated with the
development and successful introduction of new products are such that there can
be no assurance that the Company will realize future revenues from new products.


Acquisitions

On August 17, 1993 the Company acquired all of the outstanding common stock  of
Metrox, Inc. for a cash consideration of approximately $4,000,000. Metrox
designed and manufactured instrumentation used in the oil and gas industry, as
well as in general commercial and industrial applications. Metrox has been
combined with, and is reported within, the Company's Martin-Decker/TOTCO
Division.

On November 30, 1994 the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of Rig
Technology Limited ("Thule Rigtech"), a company incorporated in Scotland, for a
cost of approximately $8,954,000.  Thule Rigtech provides equipment and systems
used in the handling, mixing, transport and conditioning of drilling fluids and
operates as the Company's Thule Rigtech Division.


International Operations

The Company's products are sold for use in approximately 89 countries by United
States customers operating in the United States and abroad, as well as by
foreign customers such as privately-owned corporations and national oil
companies. The Company includes as an international sale any sale where the
product is designated for use other than in the United States. Revenues from
products sold for use outside the United States accounted for approximately 56%,
67% and 69% of the Company's total revenues for the years ended December 31,

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. For further information regarding the
Company's worldwide operations and international sales and rentals, see Note J
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company's international operations are subject to the usual risks of changes
in international conditions such as changes in governmental policies affecting
the oil industry (e.g., environmental regulations or the nationalization of the
operations of the Company's customers). Most international sales are payable in
United States dollars.

The Company has a policy prohibiting the payment of any bribe, kickback or
similar gratuity to any person in order to facilitate the sale of the Company's
products or to secure favorable action by a government official. The Company
believes that this policy does not impede its competitive position in the sale
of its products abroad.


Sales and Distribution

To facilitate the distribution of its drilling equipment and pressure control
products, the Company maintains domestic sales and service facilities in
California, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Wyoming. The rental of drilling rig
instrumentation requires local availability of equipment, transportation of the
equipment to the rig site and installation by qualified personnel. To service
this market, the Company maintains Martin-Decker/TOTCO sales and service
facilities in 14 states, including those mentioned above, as well as 3 locations
in Canada. Internationally, the Company maintains offices in Abu Dhabi, Brazil,
China, Holland, Moscow, Norway, Scotland, Singapore and Venezuela. The Company
employs independent agents in Mexico, South America, Europe, the Middle East,
the Far East and Asia, the South Pacific and in parts of the United States.

The Company's customers include private and government-owned oil companies,
drilling contractors, drilling rig manufacturers, rental tool companies, and
supply companies which supply oilfield products to the end users of the
Company's products.

Drilling systems, such as the Automated Roughneck, Top Drive Drilling System and
pipe racking systems and pressure control and motion compensation equipment,
represent significant capital expenditures and are usually sold directly to an
oil company, drilling contractor or rig builder. Other drilling equipment
products may be sold through supply stores or directly to government-owned oil
companies or drilling contractors.

There were no sales to a single customer in 1997 and 1995 in excess of 10% of
total sales.  During 1996 sales to a single customer, Diamond Offshore Drilling
Inc., amounted to $45,228,000, 12.3% of total revenues.


Backlog

Sales of the Company's products are made on the basis of written purchase orders
or contracts and, consistent with industry practice, by telex, letter or oral
commitment later confirmed by a written order. In accordance with industry
practice, orders and commitments generally can be canceled by customers at any
time. In addition, orders and commitments are sometimes modified before or
during manufacture of the products.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
  The backlog of unshipped orders was approximately as follows on the dates
indicated:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                               December 31,
                                                                                               ----------------------------
                                                                                           1997         1996        1995 
                                                                                        -----------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>       
  Varco Drilling Systems                                                                 $172,838     $ 50,913     $ 30,849
  Varco BJ Oil Tools                                                                       40,073        9,625        7,147 
  Martin-Decker/TOTCO                                                                      16,259        6,258        4,535 
  Shaffer                                                                                 224,180      119,611       31,918 
  Thule Rigtech                                                                             9,545          465          915 
                                                                                         ---------------------------------- 
     Total                                                                               $462,895     $186,872     $ 75,364
                                                                                         ========     ========     ========
</TABLE>

Orders for new rigs and major upgrades generally include the Company's longer
lead-time products.  Therefore, the average lead-time of the products included
in the December 31, 1997 backlog is longer than in prior years. The Company
expects that approximately 90% of the backlog will be shipped by December 31,
1998.  At December 31, 1997 the Company had received $67.7 million in customer
cash deposits related to orders included in backlog.  In addition to, and not
included in the  December 31, 1997 backlog, the Company has received non-binding
letters of intent for 1999 deliveries totaling $107.5 million against which the
Company has received cash deposits of $11.4 million.  In accordance with
industry practice, orders and commitments generally are cancelable by customers
at any time.


Competition

The products of the Company are sold in highly-competitive markets and its sales
and earnings can be affected by competitive actions such as price changes, new
product development or improved availability and delivery. The Company competes
with a large number of companies, some of which are larger than the Company and
have greater resources and more extensive and diversified operations.

Varco's principal competitor with respect to most Drilling Systems products is
Maritime Hydraulics A/S, a division of Acker Maritime A/S a Norwegian company.
Other competitors with respect to the Top Drive Drilling System include
National-Oilwell, A/S Hydralift, another Norwegian company which acquired the
rights to the product previously marketed by ACB offshore, a French company and
Tesco Corporation, a Canadian company that competes principally in the land Top
Drive market against Drilling Systems TDS-9S and TDS-10S. Since its introduction
in 1982 and as of December 31, 1997, Varco had sold and delivered over 550 Top
Drive Drilling Systems, and the Company believes that its competitors had sold
and delivered less than 250 systems during the same time period.

Varco's most significant domestic competitors with respect to oil tools include
Phoenix Energy Services, DenCon Oil Tools and Weatherford International, Inc. In
foreign markets Varco experiences competition from most of its domestic
competitors and from foreign companies as well.

Martin-Decker/TOTCO competes, in the domestic rental market, with the Swaco
Geolograph Division of Smith International, Inc., Petron Industries Inc. and
Adair Supply Inc. In domestic product sales, the competition consists of Wagner
International Inc., Atlas Company and a number of smaller regional companies. In
the international market it competes with these same companies along with such
foreign competitors as Rigserv, a

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
United Kingdom company, and Hitec A/S, a Norwegian company.

Shaffer competes, in the BOP and related controls market, with Cooper Cameron
Corporation, Hydril Company, a privately held company, and Stewart and
Stevenson Services, Inc. Shaffer's principal competitors with respect to motion
compensation equipment are Maritime Hydraulics A/S and A/S Hydralift.

Thule Rigtech competes in the solids control equipment market principally with
Derrick Manufacturing Inc. and Brandt/EPI, a division of Tuboscope Vetco
International Corporation.

Although accurate industry figures are not available, the Company believes that
it has a substantial share of the market for most of its equipment and
instrumentation products.


Manufacturing and Raw Materials

The manufacturing processes for the Company's drilling and pressure control
equipment products generally consist of machining, welding and fabrication, heat
treating, assembly of manufactured and purchased components, and testing. The
Company's drilling and pressure control equipment products are manufactured
primarily from alloy steel, and the availability of alloy steel castings,
forgings, purchased components and bar stock is critical to the production and
timing of shipments. The Company believes that there are currently adequate
sources of supply for alloy steel castings, forgings, purchased components and
bar stock. The primary manufacturing processes associated with instrumentation
and solids control products are fabrication, machining, assembly of manufactured
and purchased components, and testing. The Company believes that adequate
sources of supply exist for all such purchased components.

Thule Rigtech products are generally subcontracted to third parties for
manufacturing.  The Company believes that an adequate number of subcontractors
exist for the manufacture of Thule Rigtech products.


Employees

At December 31, 1997 the Company had a total of 2,852 employees (of which 415
were temporary employees). Of such employees, 619 employees were engaged in
sales and marketing, 330 employees were engaged in engineering and design, 175
employees were engaged in administrative or clerical capacities, and 1,728 were
engaged in manufacturing. The Company considers its relations with its employees
to be excellent and has never suffered a work stoppage or interruption due to a
labor dispute.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
                                        
                                        
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

  The executive officers of Varco are as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

       NAME              AGE              POSITION   
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>   <C> 
Walter B. Reinhold        73   Chairman of the Board and Director
George Boyadjieff         59   President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Richard A. Kertson        58   Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial 
                               Officer
Donald L. Stichler        54   Vice President, Controller-Treasurer and Chief
                               Accounting Officer and Secretary
Robert J. Gondek          54   Vice President and President - 
                               Martin-Decker/TOTCO
Mark A. Merit             40   Vice President and President - Shaffer
Roger D. Morgan           54   Vice President and President - Varco Drilling 
                               Systems
Michael W. Sutherlin      51   Vice President and President - Varco BJ Oil Tools
 
</TABLE> 
Officers are elected by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board of Directors.

Mr. Reinhold has been a director of the Company since 1970. He served as  Chief
Executive Officer of the Company from 1970 until April 1991, and prior thereto
he served as Executive Vice President. He has been employed by the Company since
1949. Mr. Reinhold is a director of Amdahl Corporation.

Mr. Boyadjieff was elected President of the Company in May 1981 and Chief
Executive Officer in April 1991. Mr. Boyadjieff served as Chief Operating
Officer from June 1979 until April 1991.  Prior to his election as President, he
was the Senior Vice President - Operations. He has been a director of the
Company since 1976 and joined the Company in 1969.  Mr. Boyadjieff is a director
of Unit Instruments, Inc.

Mr. Kertson was elected Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer in
May 1984. He had been Controller of Varco Oil Tools since January 1982. He
joined the Company in October 1975, as Director of Management Information
Services.

Mr. Stichler was elected Controller-Treasurer in May 1984, Secretary in May
1994, Chief Accounting Officer in May 1995 and Vice President of the Company in
1998.  He served as Corporate Controller from December 1982 to May 1984.  He
served as Manager of Accounting and Taxation from 1981, when he joined the
Company.

Mr. Gondek has served as President of Martin-Decker/TOTCO Division since
November 1990 and was elected Vice President of the Company in April 1991.  From
September 1986 until November 1990 Mr. Gondek was the Vice President and General
Manager of the TOTCO operations of Baker Hughes Incorporated.

Mr. Merit was elected Vice President of the Company and President of Shaffer in
October 1992. He had been Vice President-Manufacturing of Varco Drilling Systems
since August 1991. Previously he was Operations Manager of Varco U.K. Limited
from March 1990, and prior to that he was Manager of Engineering Software
Development for Varco Drilling Systems since 1985. He has been employed by the
Company in various capacities since 1980.

Mr. Morgan was elected Vice President of the Company in May 1984 and President
of Varco Drilling Systems in May 1990. He had been Vice President- Materials and
Manufacturing of Varco Oil Tools since May 1981.

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
Previously, he was Vice President-Materials and Production of Varco Oil Tools.
He has been employed by the Company in various capacities since 1974.

Mr. Sutherlin was elected Vice President of the Company in May 1984 and
President-Varco BJ Oil Tools in July 1988.  Previously he served as Vice
President-Best Operations.  He has been employed by the Company in various
capacities since 1975.


ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES
The Company's principal manufacturing facilities are located in Orange,
California (the "Orange Facility"), Etten-Leur, The Netherlands (the "Etten-Leur
Facility"), Cedar Park, Texas (the "Cedar Park Facility") and Houston, Texas
(the "Houston Facilities"). The Orange Facility and the Etten-Leur Facility are
used primarily for manufacturing the Company's drilling equipment; the Cedar
Park Facility manufactures primarily instrumentation products; and the Houston
Facilities are used for manufacturing pressure control, motion compensation and
drilling equipment and flow line devices.  Thule Rigtech products are generally
subcontracted to third parties for manufacturing.

The Orange Facility occupies approximately nine acres in Orange County,
California which are leased under a long-term lease. The Orange Facility
includes three manufacturing/warehouse buildings comprising a total of
approximately 135,000 square feet and a four-story high-rise facility with
automatic storage and retrieval capabilities. The Orange Facility is currently
leased from certain officers, shareholders, and directors of the Company and
affiliated trusts. During 1997 Varco Drilling Systems Division leased an
additional 19,000 square foot manufacturing building located nearby for a term
of five years. The Orange Facility is the primary manufacturing location for the
Varco Drilling Systems Division, and the Company estimates that based upon
direct labor hours and a two shift operation, utilization of this facility was
in excess of a two shift operation for 1997 as compared to approximately 95% of
capacity in 1996 and 1995.

The Etten-Leur Facility consists of approximately 73,000 square feet of
manufacturing and warehousing space and approximately 12,900 square feet of
office space on approximately six acres of land. This facility is the primary
manufacturing location for the Varco BJ Oil Tools Division, and the Company
estimates that based upon direct labor hours and a two shift operation,
utilization of this facility was near capacity in 1997 and 1996 as compared to
80% of capacity in 1995.

The Martin-Decker/TOTCO products are manufactured at the Cedar Park Facility.
The Company leased this facility from Cooper Industries, Inc. until 1995 when
the Company purchased this facility for approximately $3.6 million. The Cedar
Park Facility consists of approximately 200,000 square feet of manufacturing and
warehousing space and approximately 33,000 square feet of office space located
on approximately 40 acres. The Company estimates that based upon direct labor
hours and a two shift operation, utilization of this facility was in excess of a
two shift operation in 1997 and approximately 95% of capacity during each of the
two years ended December 31, 1996.

The Shaffer Division's products are principally manufactured at the "Shaffer
Facility", which consists of approximately 270,000 square feet of manufacturing
and warehousing space and approximately 73,000 square feet of office space
located on approximately 34 acres located in Houston, Texas. In addition,
certain products of the Varco BJ Oil Tools Division are manufactured at this
facility. The Shaffer facility has been operated by the Company since the
acquisition of Shaffer in 1992. The Company estimates that based upon direct
labor hours and a two shift operation, utilization of this facility for 1997 and
1996 was in excess of a two shift operation as compared to 80% in 1995. In
February 1997, Shaffer purchased all of the assets of a Houston machine shop
operation and simultaneously entered into a five-year lease for the related
80,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Shaffer began operation of the
facility in March 1997. During 1997 Shaffer further expanded its manufacturing
space by acquiring additional satellite facilities in the Houston area. At the
end of 1997 Shaffer leased the above

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
80,000 square foot facility plus four additional satellite facilities ranging in
size from 8,000 square feet to 33,000 square feet (together with the Shaffer
Facility, the "Houston Facilities.")

An additional manufacturing facility located in Houston (the "Houston BJ
Facility") was closed during the fourth quarter of 1992 and activities
previously performed at that plant have been moved to other Company locations,
principally the Shaffer Facility. The Houston BJ Facility, which consists of
approximately 135,000 square feet of manufacturing and office space, and the
32.2 acres of land on which it is located are owned by the Company. This
facility has been listed for sale.

The Drilling Systems Division's administration and the Company's executive
offices are located in Orange, California adjacent to the Orange Facility. They
comprise approximately 36,000 square feet of office space and are leased from
certain officers, shareholders and directors of the Company and affiliated
trusts.

The Company owns sales and service facilities in Oklahoma, Wyoming, Scotland and
Singapore and leases approximately 29 such facilities throughout the United
States in addition to facilities in Brazil, Canada, China, Mexico and Venezuela.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine
litigation incidental to the business, to which Varco or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or to which any of their property is subject.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders, through the solicitation
of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of 1997.


                                    PART II

ITEM 5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information concerning the market for the Registrant's Common Stock and
related stockholder matters contained under the captions "Price Range of Varco
Common Stock," "Dividend Policy" and "Common Stock" on page 38 of the
Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997,
is hereby incorporated by reference.

During the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 there were no sales of equity
securities of the Registrant by the Registrant which were not registered under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

ITEM 6.   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected financial information set forth under the caption "Five-Year
Financial and Operating Highlights" on page 16 of the Registrant's Annual Report
to Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, is hereby incorporated by
reference.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations on pages 18 through 22 of the Registrant's Annual Report to
Shareholders for the year ended December 31, 1997, is hereby incorporated by
reference.

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Not applicable

ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to
pages 23 through 36 of the  Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the
year ended December 31, 1997. The Report of Independent Auditors is included in
Item 14(d).

ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.


                                    PART III

ITEM 10.   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the subcaptions "Nominees" and "Section 16(a)
Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" under the caption "ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS" in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 19, 1998, except that information concerning the
Executive Officers of the Registrant is contained in Item 1 under the caption
"Executive Officers of the Registrant."

ITEM 11.   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the subcaptions "Compensation and Stock Option
Information" and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation"
under the caption "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION" and under the subcaption "Director
Compensation" under the caption "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" in the Registrant's
Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 19,
1998.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF VARCO
SECURITIES" in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on May 19, 1998.

ITEM 13.   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this item is hereby incorporated by reference to the
information set forth under the caption "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS"
in the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be
held on May 19, 1998.

ITEM 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
 FORM 8-K


(a) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SCHEDULES

    The following consolidated financial statements of Varco International, Inc.
and subsidiaries, included in the Registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for
the year ended December 31, 1997, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                  PAGE IN
                                                                                                                  ANNUAL
                                                                                                                  REPORT
                                                                                                                  -------
    <S>                                                                                                              <C>
    Consolidated Balance Sheets-as of December 31, 1997 and 1996.....................................................23
    Consolidated Statements of Income-Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...................................24
    Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity-Years ended December 31, 1997,
      1996 and 1995..................................................................................................25
    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows-Years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
      1995...........................................................................................................26
    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......................................................................27
</TABLE>

The Report of Independent Auditors and the following consolidated financial
statement schedule of Varco International, Inc., and subsidiaries are included
in Item 14(d):

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                                   PAGE
                                                                                                                  -----
   <S>                                                                                                             <C>   
   Report of Independent Auditors..................................................................................  22
   Schedule II  - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts................................................................  23
</TABLE> 

All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Individual financial statements of the registrant have been omitted as the
registrant is primarily an operating company and all subsidiaries included in
the consolidated financial statements filed, in the aggregate, do not have
minority equity interest and/or indebtedness to any person other than the
registrant or its consolidated subsidiaries in amounts which together (excepting
indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business which is not overdue
and matures within one year from the date of its creation, whether or not
evidenced by securities, and indebtedness of subsidiaries which is
collateralized by the registrant by guarantee, pledge, assignment or otherwise)
exceed 5 percent of the total assets as shown by the most recent year-end
consolidated balance sheet.


(b)  Reports on Form 8-K

On November 13, 1997 the Company filed a Form 8-K dated as of November 6, 1997,
reporting the adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company of a Shareholder
Rights Plan under Item 5.


(c)  Exhibits

Exhibits marked with an asterisk are filed herewith. The remainder of the
exhibits have heretofore been filed with the Commission and are incorporated
herein by reference. Each management contract or compensation plan or
arrangement filed as an exhibit hereto is identified by a "+".

 3.1    Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Varco, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 31, 1995.

 3.2    Bylaws of Varco, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.7 to Amendment
        No. 1 to Varco's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration 
        No. 33-40191.

 4.1    Note Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1992 between Varco International,
        Inc. and the Purchasers named in Schedule 1 thereto, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 4.0 to Varco's Quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended September 30, 1992.

 4.2    First Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1992, to
        Note Agreement included as Exhibit 4.1 hereto, incorporated by reference
        to Exhibit 4.3 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1992.

 4.3    Waiver and Second Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of February 25,
        1994, to Note Agreement included as Exhibit 4.1 hereto, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 31, 1992.
 
 4.4    Waiver, dated as of March 8, 1995, to Note Agreement included as Exhibit
        4.1 hereto incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Varco's annual
        report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

 4.5    Waiver and Third Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of March 8, 1995,
        to Note Agreement included as Exhibit 4.1 hereto, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the
        year ended December 31, 1995.

*4.6    Waiver and consent to Note Agreement, dated as of June 23, 1997, to Note
        Agreement included as Exhibit 4.1 hereto.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
 *4.7   Waiver and Fourth Amendment to Note Agreement, dated as of September 30,
        1997, to Note Agreement included as Exhibit 4.1 hereto.

 *4.8   Credit Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1997, among Varco International,
        Inc., the financial institutions listed therein as Lenders, and Union
        Bank of California, N.A., as Agent.

 *4.9   First Amendment to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 15, 1997, to
        Credit Agreement included as Exhibit 4.8 hereto.

 *4.10  Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1997, to
        Credit Agreement included as Exhibit 4.8 hereto.

 *4.11  Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of November 7, 1997 to
        Credit Agreement included as Exhibit 4.8 hereto.

 *4.12  Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 18, 1998 to
        Credit Agreement included as Exhibit 4.8 hereto.

  4.13  Rights Agreement, dated as of November 6, 1997, between Varco
        International, Inc. and Harris Trust Company of California as Rights
        Agent, which includes: as Exhibit A thereto, the Form of Certificate of
        Determination of Rights, Preferences, and Privileges of Series A
        Participating Preferred Stock of Varco International, Inc.; as Exhibit B
        thereto, the Form of Rights Certificate; and, as Exhibit C thereto, the
        Summary of Rights, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
        Corporation's Form 8-A Registration Statement filed November 13, 1997.

 10.1+  The Varco 1980 Stock Option Plan, as amended, incorporated by reference
        to Exhibit 4.5 to Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to Varco's Registration
        Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 2-66830.

 10.2+  Amendment to Varco 1980 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.1
        hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Varco's quarterly
        report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1984.

 10.3+  Amendment to Varco 1980 Stock Option Plan included as Exhibit 10.1
        hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Varco's annual
        report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

 10.4+  The Varco 1982 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 19.3 to Varco's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for
        the quarter ended June 30, 1982.

 10.5+  Varco International, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,
        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Varco's annual report on
        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992.

 10.6+  Amendment to Varco International, Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement
        Plan included as Exhibit 10.5 hereto, incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 10.6 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1996.

*10.7+  Second Amendment to the Varco International, Inc. Supplemental Executive
        Retirement Plan. included as Exhibit 10.5  hereto.

 10.8+  Varco International, Inc. Stock Bonus Plan, incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 10.8 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1985.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
 10.9+  Amendment to Varco International, Inc. Stock Bonus Plan included as
        Exhibit 10.8 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

 10.10+ Amendment to Varco International, Inc. Stock Bonus Plan included as
        Exhibit 10.8 hereto. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

 10.11  Lease dated March 7, 1975, as amended, incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 10.7 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1981, and agreement with respect thereto dated as of
        January 1, 1982, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Varco's
        annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1982.

 10.12  Agreement dated as of January 1, 1984, with respect to Lease included as
        Exhibit 10.11 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1984.

 10.13  Agreement dated as of February 8, 1985, with respect to Lease included
        as Exhibit 10.11 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.14 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1984.

 10.14  Agreement dated as of April 12, 1985 to Lease included as Exhibit 10.11
        hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Varco's Quarterly
        Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1985.

 10.15  Amendment dated as of January 11, 1995 to Lease included as Exhibit
        10.11 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Varco's
        annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

 10.16  Standard Industrial Lease-Net dated September 29, 1988 for the premises
        at 743 N. Eckhoff, Orange, California, incorporated by reference to
        Exhibit 10.14 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1988.

 10.17  First amendment dated as of January 11, 1995 to Lease included as
        Exhibit 10.16 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,1995.

 10.18+ The Varco International Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan, as amended,
        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Varco's Registration
        Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-21681.

 10.19+ Varco 1980 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 28 to Varco's Registration Statement on Form S-8,
        Registration No. 33-36841.

 10.20+ Amendment to the Varco 1980 Employee Stock Purchase Plan included as
        Exhibit 10.19 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

 10.21+ Amendment to the Varco 1980 Employee Stock Purchase Plan included as
        Exhibit 10.19 hereto. incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to
        Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

*10.22+ Varco International Inc. Management Incentive Bonus Plan.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
 10.23  Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 10, 1992, by and between
        Varco International, Inc. and Baroid Corporation, incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 2 to Varco's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
        quarter ended March 31, 1992.

 10.24  Amendments dated May 28, 1992, June 30, 1992, July 15, 1992 and two
        amendments dated July 16, 1992 to Asset Purchase Agreement included as
        Exhibit 10.23 hereto, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to
        Varco's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 1992.

 10.25+ Varco International Inc. 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan, incorporated
        by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K for
        the year ended December 31, 1995.

*10.26+ Amendment to Varco International Inc. 1994 Directors' Stock Option
        Plan, included as Exhibit 10.25 hereto.

 10.27+ The Varco International, Inc. Director Savings Plan incorporated by
        reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Varco's annual report on Form 10-K the
        year ended December 31, 1994.

 10.28+ The Varco International, Inc. Executive Management Savings Plan
        incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Varco's annual report in
        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

*11     Statement re computation of per share earnings.

*12     Statement re computation of ratios.

*13     1997 Annual Report to Shareholders, to the extent expressly incorporated
        by reference in this Report on Form 10-K. Such Annual Report, except for
        those portions so incorporated by reference, is furnished only for
        information and is not to be deemed filed herewith.

*21     Subsidiaries of Varco.

*23     Consent of Independent Auditors.

*27.1   Financial Data Schedule December 31, 1997

*27.2   Restated Financial Data Schedule, December 31, 1996

*27.3   Restated Financial Data Schedule, December 31, 1995

- -----------

* Filed herewith

+ Management contract, compensation plan or arrangement.


As to any security holder of the Registrant requesting a copy of this Form 10-K,
the Registrant will furnish copies of any exhibits listed above as filed with
this Form 10-K upon payment to it of its reasonable expenses in furnishing such
exhibits.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
(d)  Schedules

The Report of Independent Auditors and the schedules listed in the Index to
Financial Statements and Schedules (Item 14(a)) are filed as part of this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.


                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


Shareholders and Board of Directors
Varco International, Inc.

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Varco International, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997. Our audits also included the
financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a). These financial
statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Varco
International, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.  Also, in our opinion, the related financial
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the
information set forth therein.



ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Orange County, California
February 12, 1998

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                      VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND 
                      SUBSIDIARIES
                      SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING
                      ACCOUNTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
       Column A                                    Column B     Column C       Column D           Column E
                                                                     Additions
                                                             -----------------------------
                                                                               Charged to
                                                  Balance at   Charged to           other                       Balance
                                                   beginning    costs and       accounts-      Deductions-    at end of
      Description                                  of period     expenses        describe         describe       period
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                  (in thousands)
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>  
Year ended December 31, 1997:
    Deducted from asset accounts:                
      Allowance for doubtful accounts....           $ 1,756       $  589          ($11)         $   213(1)     $ 2,121
                                                 
      Allowance for excess and obsolete              
      inventory...                                   36,879        3,701          (478)          11,344(2)      28,758
      Reserve for assets held for sale...             4,996          240                            (26)         5,262
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                    TOTALS                          $43,631       $4,530         ($489)         $11,531        $36,141
                                                    ==================================================================
 
Year ended December 31, 1996: 
    Deducted from asset accounts:                
      Allowance for doubtful accounts....           $ 1,585       $  497          ($22)         $   304(1)     $ 1,756
      Allowance for excess and obsolete             
      inventory...                                   39,069          (21)                         2,169(2)      36,879 
      Reserve for assets held for sale...             4,750          240                             (6)         4,996 
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                    TOTALS                          $45,404       $  716          ($22)         $ 2,467        $43,631 
                                                    ==================================================================


Year ended December 31, 1995: 
    Deducted from asset accounts:           
      Allowance for doubtful accounts....           $ 1,580       $  223        $   14          $   232(1)     $ 1,585
      Allowance for excess and obsolete     
      inventory...                                   41,912          789           440(3)         4,072(2)      39,069 
      Reserve for assets held for sale...             4,553          239           (42)                          4,750 
                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 
                    TOTALS                          $48,045       $1,251        $  412          $ 4,304        $45,404 
                                                    ==================================================================
</TABLE>

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
(1)   Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.
(2)   Obsolete inventories written off.
(3)   Slow moving inventories sold.

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
                                                                                
  Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                   VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                   By      GEORGE I. BOYADJIEFF
                                      -------------------------
                                           George I. Boyadjieff
                                    President and Chief Executive 
                                          Officer and Director

Dated March 24, 1998
    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Principal Executive Officer and Director:

   GEORGE I. BOYADJIEFF      President and Chief              March 24, 1998
- -------------------------    Executive Officer
   George I. Boyadjieff      


Principal Financial Officer:


   RICHARD A. KERTSON        Vice President-                  March 24, 1998
- -------------------------    Finance                                   
   Richard A. Kertson      


Principal Accounting Officer:


   DONALD L. STICHLER        Vice President, Controller-      March 24, 1998
- -------------------------    Treasurer and Secretary
   Donald L. Stichler      

 

Other Directors:

   WALTER B. REINHOLD        Director-Chairman                March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Walter B. Reinhold



   GEORGE S. DOTSON          Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   George S. Dotson

 

   ANDRE R. HORN             Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Andre R. Horn

 

   JACK W. KNOWLTON          Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Jack W. Knowlton

                                      25

<PAGE>

   LEO J. PIRCHER            Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Leo J. Pircher

 

   CARROLL W. SUGGS          Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Carroll W. Suggs

 

   ROBERT A. TEITSWORTH      Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Robert A. Teitsworth
 

   EUGENE R. WHITE           Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   Eugene R. White

 

   JAMES D. WOODS            Director                         March 24, 1998
- ------------------------
   James D. Woods

                                       26
 

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.6

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                     WAIVER AND CONSENT TO NOTE AGREEMENT
                           DATED AS OF JUNE 23, 1997


To Each of the Holders Named
in the attached Schedule 1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Note Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992 (as
heretofore amended, modified or supplemented by amendment or waiver, the "Note
Agreement") between Varco International, Inc., a California corporation (the
"Company") and each of the Purchasers named in Schedule 1 attached thereto
pursuant to which the Company issued $50,000,000 aggregate original principal
amount of its 8.95% Senior Notes due June 30, 1999 (the "Senior Notes"). The
current holders of the Notes (the "Holders"), the respective original principal
amounts of the Notes held by each such Holder and the current outstanding
principal amount of the Notes held by each such Holder are set forth in Schedule
1 hereto. This Waiver and Consent to Note Agreement is hereinafter referred to
as the "Waiver." Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall
have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Note Agreement. This Waiver is
being executed and delivered in light of the following facts:

     A.  The Company is a party to a Credit Agreement, dated as of February 25, 
1993 (as amended, the "Citicorp Credit Agreement"), among the Company, Citicorp 
USA, Inc. and Citibank, N.A. (together, the "Existing Lenders").

     B.  In connection with the execution and delivery of the Citicorp Credit
Agreement and pursuant to the Waiver and Second Amendment to Note Agreement, 
dated as of February 25, 1993 the holders of more than 66_% in aggregate 
principal amount of the outstanding Senior Notes consented to the execution and 
delivery of Guaranties and Subordination Agreements by the following 
subsidiaries of the Company, dated as of the dates indicated:

     GROUP 1

        Best Industries, Inc. - February 25, 1993
        Martin-Decker TOTCO, Inc. - February 25, 1993
        Varco Shaffer, Inc. - February 25, 1993

     GROUP 2

        Varco International Inc Pte Ltd - February 25, 1993
        Varco (U.K.) Limited - February 25, 1993
        Varco International Canada Ltd.
        (formerly named 304774 Alberta Ltd.) - February 25, 1993
        Varco BJ Oil Tools, B.V. - February 25, 1993

<PAGE>
 
          Rig Technology Limited - November 30, 1994
          Metrox, Inc. - August 17, 1993

The Guaranties and Subordination Agreements executed and delivered by the 
companies listed above under the caption "Group 1" (the "Group 1 Guarantors") 
are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Continuing Guaranties" and the 
"Continuing Subordination Agreements", respectively, and the Guaranties and 
Subordination Agreements executed and delivered by the companies listed above 
under the caption "Group 2" (the "Group 2 Guarantors") above are hereinafter 
collectively referred to as the "Terminating Guaranties" and the "Terminating 
Subordination Agreements", respectively. The Continuing Guaranties and the 
Terminating Guaranties are hereinafter collectively referred to as the 
"Guaranties", and the Continuing Subordination Agreements and the Terminating 
Subordination Agreements are hereinafter collectively referred to as the 
"Subordination Agreements".

     C.  The Company intends to enter into a Credit Agreement (the "Union Bank 
Credit Agreement") with Union Bank of California, N.A. and the other financial 
institutions listed on the signature pages thereof (collectively, the "New 
Lenders"), which will make available to the Company a revolving credit facility 
not exceeding $65,000,000 inclusive of a $20,000,000 letter of credit 
subfacility.

     D.  The Union Bank Credit Agreement will provide as conditions precedent to
the availability of the credit facilities thereunder (1) that the commitments 
under the Citicorp Credit Agreement be terminated, (2) that the Continuing 
Guaranties and the Continuing Subordination Agreements be amended and restated 
to read in full in substantially the forms of the attached Exhibits A and B, 
respectively, and (3) that either (a) the termination of the Terminating 
Guaranties be consented to by the holders of 100% of the outstanding principal 
amount of the Senior Notes and the Existing Lenders or (b) that the each of the 
Terminating Guaranties and the Terminating Subordination Agreements be amended 
and restated to read in full in substantially the forms of the attached Exhibits
A and B, respectively.

     E.  The Union Bank Credit Agreement will also provide for the termination 
of the Terminating Guaranties subsequent to their amendment and restatement as 
contemplated by clause (2)(b) of paragraph D above in the event that the consent
of holders of 100% of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes is 
received subsequent to such amendment and restatement.

     F.  The Company has requested that the Holders consent to the amendment and
restatement of the Guaranties and the Subordination Agreements and the 
termination of the Terminating Guaranties and the Terminating Subordination 
Agreements, either as presently in effect or as amended and restated.

(S)1  CONSENT AND WAIVER

     (S)1.1  Amendment and Restatement of Guaranties and Subordination


                                      2.
<PAGE>
 
Agreements.  The Holders hereby consent to the execution and delivery by each of
the Group 1 Guarantors and each of the Group 2 Guarantors of an Amended and 
Restated Guaranty in substantially the form of the attached Exhibit A and an 
Amended and Restated Subordination Agreement in substantially the form of the 
attached Exhibit B and waive any violation of Section 7.9 of the Note Agreement 
resulting therefrom.  The consent and waiver provided for in this (S)1.1 shall 
become effective as of the date set forth above upon the execution and delivery 
of this Waiver by the Holders of not less than 66_% of the outstanding principal
amount of the Senior Notes and the satisfaction of the additional conditions 
set forth in (S)4 of this Waiver.

     (S)1.2  Termination of Terminating Guaranties and Terminating Subordination
Agreements.  The Holders hereby consent to the termination of the Terminating 
Guaranties and the Terminating Subordination Agreements either as presently in 
effect or as amended and restated as contemplated by (S)1.1 of this Waiver.  The
consent provided for in this (S)1.2 shall become effective upon the execution 
and delivery of this Waiver by the Holders of all of the outstanding principal 
amount of the Senior Notes and the satisfaction of the additional conditions set
forth in (S)4 of this Waiver.  Upon such effectiveness, the Terminating 
Guaranties and the Terminating Subordination Agreements shall terminate, and the
Holders shall have no further rights under the Terminating Guaranties or the 
Terminating Subordination Agreements, either as presently in effect or as 
amended and restated as contemplated by (S)1.1 of this Waiver.

     (S)1.3  Additional Guaranties and Subordination Agreements.  Each Holder 
hereby consents to the execution and delivery by any other Subsidiary of a 
Guaranty substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit A and a Subordination
Agreement substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit B and waive any 
violation of Section 7.9 of the Note Agreement resulting therefrom.  The consent
and waiver provided for in this Section 1.3 shall become effective upon the 
execution and delivery of this Waiver by the Holders of not less than 66_% of 
the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes and the satisfaction of the
additional conditions set forth in (S)4 of this Waiver.

(S)2.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.

       As an inducement to the Purchasers to enter into this Waiver, the Company
represents and warrants that:

       (S)2.1 Event of Default.  Upon the effectiveness of this Waiver, there 
will exist no Default or Event of Default under the Note Agreement.

       (S)2.2 Authorization.  The execution and delivery by the Company of this 
Waiver and the amendment and restatement of the Subordination Agreements as 
contemplated by (S)1.1 hereof, have been duly authorized by proper corporate 
proceedings and this Waiver, the Note Agreement and the Subordination Agreements
constitute, and when (and in the case of the Terminating Subordination 
Agreements if) executed and delivered by the Company will constitute, legal, 
valid

                                      3.
<PAGE>
 
and binding obligations of the Company enforceable by the other parties thereto 
against the Company in accordance with their respective terms. The Guaranties 
and Subordination Agreements constitute, and when (and in the case of the 
Terminating Guaranties and the Terminating Subordination Agreements if) amended 
and restated as contemplated by (S)1.1 hereof, will constitute, legal, valid and
binding obligations of the respective Subsidiaries party thereto, enforceable 
against such Subsidiaries in accordance with their respective terms, subject to 
the provisions hereof regarding the termination of the Terminating Guaranties 
and the Terminating Subordination Agreements.

     (S)2.3  No Conflict.  Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of 
this Waiver or the amendment and restatement of the Guaranties or the 
Subordination Agreements nor compliance with the provisions hereof or thereof, 
or with the Note Agreement, will (in the case of the amended and restated 
Guaranties and Subordination Agreements subject to the fulfillment of the 
conditions precedent to effectiveness contained in this Waiver) violate any law,
rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree or award binding on 
the Company or any Subsidiary or the certificate or articles of incorporation or
by-laws of the Company or any Subsidiary or the provisions of any indenture, 
instrument or agreement to which the Company or any Subsidiary is a party or is 
subject, or by which its property is bound, or conflict with or constitute a 
default thereunder.

     (S)2.4  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and warranties
set forth in Section 3.1 of the Note Agreement are true and correct, in all 
material respects, as of the date of this Waiver.

(S)3.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES AND COVENANTS OF THE HOLDERS.

     (S)3.1  Authorization.  Each Holder executing and delivering this Waiver, 
severally and not jointly, represents and warrants to the Company (1) that such 
execution and delivery has been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings,
and that this Waiver has been duly executed and delivered by such Holder and
constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Holder enforceable
against it in accordance with its terms and (2) in the case of each such Holder
which holds one or more Senior Notes registered in the name of a nominee that
such Holder is the beneficial owner of the Senior Note(s) so held and is
authorized to execute and deliver this Waiver as the "holder" of such Senior
Note(s) within the meaning of (S)9.1 of the Note Agreement.

(S)4.  ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS.

     The effectiveness of the consent and waiver provided for in (S)1.1 hereof, 
the consent provided for in (S)1.2 hereof, and the consent and waiver provided
for in (S)1.3 hereof are each subject to the following additional conditions:

     (S)4.1  Union Bank Credit Agreement.  The Company and the New Lenders shall
have entered into the Union Bank Credit Agreement.

                                      4.
<PAGE>
 
     (S)4.2  Continuing Guaranties and Continuing Subordination Agreements.
The Continuing Guaranty of each Group A Subsidiary shall have been amended and 
restated substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, and the 
Continuing Subordination Agreement of each Group A Subsidiary shall have been 
amended and restated substantially in the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

     (S)4.3  Terminating Guaranties and Terminating Subordination Agreements.
Either (1) this Waiver shall have been executed and delivered by the Holders of 
all of the outstanding Senior Notes or (2) the Terminating Guaranty of each 
Group B Subsidiary shall have been amended and restated substantially in the 
form of Exhibit A attached hereto, and the Terminating Subordination Agreement 
of each Group B Subsidiary shall have been amended and restated substantially in
the form of Exhibit B attached hereto.

     (S)4.4  Existing Lenders.  The Existing Lenders shall have waived all of
their rights under the Guaranties and the Subordination Agreements.

(S)5.  MISCELLANEOUS.

     (S)5.1  Ratification.  The terms and provisions of the Note Agreement,
except to the extent waived by this Waiver, shall remain in full force and
effect and is ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.

     (S)5.2  Choice of Law.  This Waiver shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

     (S)5.3  Execution in Counterparts.  This Waiver may be executed in one or
more counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an 
original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same 
agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Holders have caused this Waiver
to be executed and delivered by their respective officer or officers thereunto 
duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                                   VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------
                                   Title:

             
                                   JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                   COMPANY

                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------
                                   Title:

                                      5.
     




<PAGE>
 
                                  JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE
                                  COMPANY

                                  By:
                                     ---------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE INSURANCE
                                  COMPANY

                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  JOHN HANCOCK LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  CENTRAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY
             
                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  NORTH ATLANTIC LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  CANADA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY OF
                                  AMERICA

                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                  NORTHWEST NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY

                                  By:
                                     --------------------------------
                                  Title:


                                      6.








<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 1

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
===============================================================================
                                         ORIGINAL                 OUTSTANDING
          HOLDER                         PRINCIPAL                 PRINCIPAL
    (REGISTERED NOTE NO(S))               AMOUNT                    AMOUNT
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                      <C> 
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance       $ 8,000,000              $ 4,800,000
Company
(R-7)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Hancock Variable Life Insurance     $ 4,000,000              $ 2,400,000
Company
(R-8 & R-13) 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance      $10,000,000              $ 6,000,000
Company
(R-9 & R-11)     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Hancock Life Insurance Company      $ 4,500,000              $ 2,700,000
of America 
(R-12) 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Life Assurance Company           $ 5,000,000              $ 3,000,000
(Registered in name of Salkeld & Co.
as nominee for  Bankers Trust Co. as
custodian)
(R-14)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Atlantic Life Insurance Company    $ 3,000,000              $ 1,800,000
of America
(R-18, R-19 & R-20)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Life Insurance Company of         $ 5,000,000              $ 3,000,000
America
(Registered in the name of Cummings
& Co. as nominee)
(R-21)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwestern National Life Insurance     $ 2,500,000              $ 1,500,000
Company
(Registered in the name of Salkeld & 
Co. as nominee)
(R-22, R-23 & R-24)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Services Life Insurance           $ 4,800,000              $ 4,800,000
Company
(Registered in the name of Salkeld &
Co. as nominee)
(Principal amount reduced from 
$8,000,000 to $4,800,000 upon
transfer to reflect principal 
prepayments of $1,600,000 on each
of June 30, 1995 and 1996)
(R-25)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total:                                   $46,800,000*             $30,000,000
===============================================================================
</TABLE> 

*  Total does not add to $50,000,000 due to issuance of Senior Note to United 
Services Life Insurance Company in reduced principal amount to reflect 
prepayments of principal aggregating $3,200,000 made prior to transfer.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7
 
                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                          WAIVER AND FOURTH AMENDMENT

                                      TO

                                NOTE AGREEMENT

                        Dated as of September 30, 1997


To Each of the institutions Named
in the attached  Schedule 1 (the "Holders")

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Reference is made to the Note Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992 (as
heretofore amended, modified or supplemented by amendment or waiver, the "Note
Agreement") between Varco International, Inc., a California corporation (the
"Company"), and each of the Purchasers named in schedule 1 thereto pursuant to
which the Company issued $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 8.95%
Senior Notes due June 30, 1999 (the "Notes").  This Waiver and Fourth Amendment
to Note Agreement is hereinafter referred to as the "Waiver".  Capitalized terms
used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings subscribed to such
terms in the Note Agreement.

     The Company has provided to the Holders a Notice of Default dated October
28, 1997 (the "Notice of Default") and requested a Waiver and an amendment of
section 7.3 of the Note Agreement, and the Holders are willing to agree to such
amendment and grant such waiver on the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth.

     In consideration of the premises and for the good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the
company and the Holders agree as follows:

1.   AMENDMENT OF THE NOTE AGREEMENT.

          Amendment of Section 7.3. Section 7.3 of the Note Agreement is amended
to read in its entirety as follows:

          "7.3 Current Ratio. The Company will not permit, at any time, the
               --------------
     ratio of Consolidated Current Assets to consolidated Current Liabilities to
     be less than 1.5 to 1.0."

2.   CONSENT, WAIVER AND AGREEMENT.  The Holders hereby (1) acknowledge receipt 
of the Notice of Default and (ii) Any Event of Default arising under Section 7.3
of the Note Agreement at any time on or before September 30, 1997 and any right 
to accelerate or other rights of the Holders attendant thereto.

3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY.
 
     As an inducement to the Holders to enter into this Waiver, the Company
represents and warrants that:

     3.1 Event of Default. Upon the effectiveness of this Waiver, there will
exist no Default or Event of Default under the Note Agreement, as amended
hereby.

     3.2 Authorization. The execution and delivery by the Company of this Waiver
have been duly authorized by proper corporate proceedings, and this Waiver and
the Note agreement, as amended hereby, constitute legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their respective terms.
<PAGE>
 
     3.3 No Conflict. Neither the execution and delivery by the Company of this
Waiver, nor compliance with the provisions hereof or with the Note Agreement as
amended hereby, will violate any law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,
injunction, decree or award binding on the Company or the articles of
incorporation or by-laws of the Company or the provisions of any indenture,
instrument or agreement to which the Company is a party or is subject, or by
which it or its property is bound, or conflict with or constitute a default
thereunder.

     3.4 Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties set
forth in Section 3.1 of the Note Agreement are true and correct, in all material
respects, as of the date of this Waiver.

4.   EFFECTIVE DATE OF WAIVER. This Waiver shall be effective as of the date set
forth above upon the execution and delivery of this Waiver by the Holders of at
least 66-2/3% in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding.

5.   MISCELLANEOUS.

     5.1 Ratification. The Note Agreement, as amended hereby, shall remain in
full force and effect and is ratified, approved and confirmed in all respects.
 
     5.2 Reference to Note Agreement. From and after the effective date of this
Waiver, each reference in the Note Agreement to "this Agreement," "hereof," or
"hereunder" or words like import, and all references to the Note Agreement in
any and all agreements, instrument, documents, notes, certificates and other
writings of every kind and nature shall be deemed to mean the Note Agreement, as
modified and amended by this Waiver.

     5.3 Choice of Law. This Waiver shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

     5.4 Execution in Counterparts. This Waiver may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Holders have caused this Waiver to
be executed and delivered by their respective officer or officers thereunto duly
authorized.


                                    VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                    By: ____________________
                                    Title:

JOHN HANCOCK MUTUAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY

By: ____________________
Title:

MASSACHUSETTS MUTUAL LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY

By: ____________________
Title:
<PAGE>
 
JOHN HANCOCK VARIABLE LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY

By: ____________________
Title:

JOHN HANCOCK LIFE
INSURANCE COMPANY

By: ____________________
Title:


AMERUS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
(formerly Central Life Assurance Company)

By: ____________________
Title:

 
RELIASTAR BANKERS SECURITY
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY as
successor by merger to NORTH ATLANTIC
LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

By: ____________________
Title:


CANADA LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
OF AMERICA

By: ____________________
Title:
 
 
RELIASTAR LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
F/K/A/ Northwestern National Life Insurance
Company

By: ____________________
Title:
 
RELIASTAR LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
F/K/A/ United Services Life Insurance
Company

By: ____________________
Title:
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE 1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    ORIGINAL      OUTSTANDING
        HOLDER                                      PRINCIPAL     PRINCIPAL
(REGISTERED NOTE NO(S))                             AMOUNT        AMOUNT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>             <C> 
John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Company          $ 8,000,000     $ 3,200,000
(R-7)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Hancock Variable Life Insurance Company        $ 4,000,000     $ 1,600,000
(R-8 & R-13)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance of America      $10,000,000     $ 4,000,000
(R-9 & R-11)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John Hancock Life Insurance Company of America      $ 4,500,000     $ 1,800,000
(R-12)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Central Life Assurance Company                      $ 5,000,000     $ 2,000,000
(Registered in name of Salkeld & Co. as
nominee for Bankers Trust Co. as custodian)
(R-14)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Atlantic Life Insurance Company               $ 3,000,000     $ 1,200,000
of America
(R-18, R-19 & R-20)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Canada Life Insurance Company of America            $ 5,000,000     $ 2,000,000
(Registered in the name of Cummings & Co. as
nominee)
(R-21)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwestern National Life Insurance Company        $ 2,500,000     $ 1,000,000
(Registered in the name of Salkeld & Co. as
nominee)
(R-22, R-23 & R-24)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
United Services Life Insurance Company              $ 4,800,000     $ 3,200,000
(Registered in the name of Salkeld & Co. as
nominee)
(Principal amount reduced from $8,000,000 to
$4,800,000 upon transfer to reflect principal
prepayments of $1,600,000 on each of June 30,
1995 and 1996)
(R-25)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL                                               $46,800,000*    $20,000,000
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE> 

* Total does not add to $50,000,000 due to issuance of Senior Note to United 
Services Life Insurance Company in reduced principal amount to reflect 
prepayments of principal aggregating $3,200,000 made prior to transfer.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8

================================================================================



                               CREDIT AGREEMENT



                          DATED AS OF JUNE 27, 1997 
 

                                    AMONG 


                          VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., 
                                 AS BORROWER,

                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN
                                  AS LENDERS,

                                      AND

                        UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.,
                                   AS AGENT



================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
                               -----------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              PAGE
<S>                                                                                           <C> 
SECTION 1.     DEFINITIONS...................................................................    1
      1.1      Certain Defined Terms.........................................................    1
               ---------------------
      1.2      Accounting Terms; Utilization of GAAP for Purposes of Calculations
               ------------------------------------------------------------------
               Under Agreement...............................................................   23
               ---------------
      1.3      Other Definitional Provisions and Rules of Construction.......................   23
               -------------------------------------------------------

SECTION 2.     AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS....................................   23
      2.1      Commitments; Making of Loans; the Register; Notes.............................   23
               -------------------------------------------------
      2.2      Interest on the Loans.........................................................   27
               ---------------------
      2.3      Fees..........................................................................   31
               ----
      2.4      Prepayments and Reductions in Commitments; General Provisions
               -------------------------------------------------------------
               Regarding Payments............................................................   31
               ------------------
      2.5      Use of Proceeds...............................................................   36
               ---------------
      2.6      Special Provisions Governing LIBOR Rate Loans.................................   36
               ---------------------------------------------
      2.7      Increased Costs; Taxes; Capital Adequacy......................................   39
               ----------------------------------------
      2.8      Obligation of Lenders and Issuing Lenders to Mitigate.........................   43
               -----------------------------------------------------

SECTION 3.     LETTERS OF CREDIT.............................................................   44
      3.1      Issuance of Letters of Credit and Lenders' Purchase of Participations
               ---------------------------------------------------------------------
               Therein.......................................................................   44
               -------
      3.2      Letter of Credit Fees.........................................................   47
               ---------------------
      3.3      Drawings and Reimbursement of Amounts Paid Under Letters of
               -----------------------------------------------------------
               Credit........................................................................   49
               ------
      3.4      Obligations Absolute..........................................................   52
               --------------------
      3.5      Indemnification; Nature of Issuing Lenders' Duties............................   53
               --------------------------------------------------
      3.6      Increased Costs and Taxes Relating to Letters of Credit.......................   54
               -------------------------------------------------------                   

SECTION 4.     CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.....................................   55
      4.1      Conditions to Initial Loans...................................................   55
               ---------------------------
      4.2      Conditions to All Loans.......................................................   59
               -----------------------
      4.3      Conditions to Letters of Credit...............................................   60
               -------------------------------

Section 5.     COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................   61
      5.1      Organization, Powers, Qualification, Good Standing, Business and
               ----------------------------------------------------------------
               Subsidiaries..................................................................   61
               ------------
      5.2      Authorization of Borrowing, etc...............................................   62
               --------------------------------
      5.3      Financial Condition...........................................................   63
               -------------------
      5.4      No Material Adverse Change; No Restricted Junior Payments.....................   63
               ---------------------------------------------------------
      5.5      Title to Properties; Liens....................................................   64
               --------------------------
      5.6      Litigation; Adverse Facts.....................................................   64
               -------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      (i)
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                                                                                              PAGE
                                                                                              ----
     <S>                                                                                        <C> 
      5.7      Payment of Taxes...............................................................  64
               ----------------
      5.8      Performance of Agreements; Materially Adverse Agreements;
               -----------------------------------------------------------
               Material Contracts.............................................................  65
               ------------------
      5.9      Govermental Regulation.........................................................  65
               ----------------------
      5.10     Securities Activities..........................................................  65
               ---------------------
      5.11     Employee Benefit Plans.........................................................  66
               ----------------------
      5.12     Certain Fees...................................................................  66
               ------------
      5.13     Environmental Protection.......................................................  66
               ------------------------
      5.14     Insurance......................................................................  67
               ---------
      5.15     Employee Matters...............................................................  67
               ----------------
      5.16     Solvency.......................................................................  67
               --------
      5.17     Disclosure.....................................................................  67
               ----------
SECTION 6.     COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS................................................  68

      6.1      Financial Statements and Other Reports.........................................  68
               --------------------------------------
      6.2      Corporate Existence, etc.......................................................  73
               -------------------------
      6.3      Payment of Taxes and Claims; Tax Consolidation.................................  73
               ----------------------------------------------
      6.4      Maintenance of Properties; Insurance...........................................  73
               ------------------------------------
      6.5      Inspection Rights; Lender Meeting..............................................  74
               ---------------------------------
      6.6      Compliance with Laws, etc......................................................  74
               -------------------------
      6.7      Environmental Review and Investigation, Disclosure, Etc.; Company's
               -------------------------------------------------------------------
               Actions Regarding Hazardous Materials Activities, Environmental
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
               Claims and Violations of Environmental Laws....................................  74
               -------------------------------------------
      6.8      Execution of Subsidiary Guaranties by Certain Subsidiaries and
               --------------------------------------------------------------
               Future Subsidiaries............................................................  77
               -------------------

SECTION 7.     COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS...................................................  78

      7.1      Indebtedness...................................................................  78
               ------------
      7.2      Liens and Related Matters......................................................  79
               -------------------------
      7.3      Investments; Joint Ventures....................................................  80
               ---------------------------
      7.4      Contingent Obligations.........................................................  81
               ----------------------
      7.5      Restricted Junior Payments.....................................................  82
               ---------------------------
      7.6      Financial Covenants............................................................  82
               -------------------
      7.7      Restriction on Fundamental Changes; Asset Sales and Acquisitions...............  83
               ----------------------------------------------------------------
      7.8      Consolidated Capital Expenditures..............................................  84
               ---------------------------------
      7.9      Restriction on Leases..........................................................  84
               ---------------------
      7.10     Sales and Lease-Backs..........................................................  85
               ---------------------
      7.11     Sale or Discount of Receivables................................................  85
               ------------------------------- 
      7.12     Transactions with Shareholders and Affiliates..................................  85
               --------------------------------------------- 
      7.13     Disposal of Subsidiary Stock...................................................  85
               ---------------------------- 
      7.14     Conduct of Business............................................................  86
               -------------------
      7.15     Amendments of Documents Relating to Senior Notes...............................  86
               ------------------------------------------------
      7.16     Fiscal Year....................................................................  86
               -----------

SECTION 8.     EVENTS OF DEFAULT..............................................................  87
      8.1      Failure to Make Payments When Due..............................................  87
               --------------------------------- 
</TABLE>

                                     (ii)
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                                                                                                  PAGE
                                                                                                  ----
     <S>                                                                                            <C>
      8.2      Default in Other Agreements........................................................  87
               ---------------------------
      8.3      Breach of Certain Covenants........................................................  87
               ---------------------------
      8.4      Breach of Warranty.................................................................  88
               ------------------
      8.5      Other Defaults Under Loan Documents................................................  88
               -----------------------------------
      8.6      Involuntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc...............................  88
               ----------------------------------------------------
      8.7      Voluntary Bankruptcy; Appointment of Receiver, etc.................................  88
               --------------------------------------------------
      8.8      Judgments and Attachments..........................................................  89
               -------------------------
      8.9      Dissolution........................................................................  89
               -----------
      8.10     Employee Benefit Plans.............................................................  89
               ----------------------
      8.11     Change in Control..................................................................  89
               -----------------
      8.12     Invalidity of Subsidiary Guaranties; Repudiation of Obligations....................  90
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
SECTION 9.     AGENT..............................................................................  91
      9.1      Appointment........................................................................  91
               -----------
      9.2      Powers and Duties; General Immunity................................................  91
               -----------------------------------
      9.3      Representations and Warranties; No Responsibility For Appraisal of
               ------------------------------------------------------------------
               Creditworthiness...................................................................  93
               ----------------
      9.4      Right to Indemnity.................................................................  93
               ------------------
      9.5      Successor Agent....................................................................  94
               ---------------
      9.6      Collateral Account Agreement.......................................................  94
               ----------------------------

SECTION 10.    MISCELLANEOUS......................................................................  94
      10.1     Assignments and Participations in Loans and Letters of Credit......................  94
               -------------------------------------------------------------
      10.2     Expenses...........................................................................  97
               --------
      10.3     Indemnity..........................................................................  98
               ---------                  
      10.4     Set-Off............................................................................  99
               -------
      10.5     Ratable Sharing.................................................................... 100
               ---------------             
      10.6     Amendments and Waivers............................................................. 100
               ----------------------
      10.7     Independence of Covenants.......................................................... 101
               -------------------------
      10.8     Notices............................................................................ 101
               -------
      10.9     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements............................. 102
               ------------------------------------------------------
      10.10    Failure or Indulgence Not Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.............................. 102
               -----------------------------------------------------
      10.11    Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.................................................... 102
               -------------------------------
      10.12    Severability....................................................................... 103
               ------------
      10.13    Obligations Several; Independent Nature of Lenders' Rights......................... 103
               ----------------------------------------------------------
      10.14    Headings........................................................................... 103
               --------
      10.15    Applicable Law..................................................................... 103
               --------------
      10.16    Successors and Assigns............................................................. 103
               ----------------------
      10.17    Consent to Jurisdiction and Service of Process..................................... 104
               ----------------------------------------------
      10.18    Waiver of Jury Trial............................................................... 104
               --------------------
      10.19    Confidentiality.................................................................... 105
               ---------------
      10.20    Termination of Foreign Subsidiary Guaranties and Subordination
               --------------------------------------------------------------
               Agreements......................................................................... 106
               ----------
      10.21    Counterparts; Effectiveness........................................................ 106
               ---------------------------

                    Signature pages............................................................... S-1
</TABLE>

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBITS


I        FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING
II       FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION
III      FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT
IV       FORM OF NOTE
V        FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
VI       FORM OF OPINION OF COMPANY COUNSEL
VII      FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP
VIII     FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
IX-A     FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED SUBORDINATION 
         AGREEMENT
IX-B     FORM OF SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT
X        FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS
XI       FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT
XII-A    FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XII-B    FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY
XIII     FORM OF NINTH AMENDMENT TO CITICORP LOAN               
         AGREEMENT
XIV      FORM OF SENIOR NOTE WAIVER

                                     (iv)
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULES


2.1      LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES 
5.1      SUBSIDIARIES OF COMPANY                  
5.8      MATERIAL CONTRACTS                       
7.1      CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS            
7.2      CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS                   
7.3      CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS             
7.4      CERTAIN EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS   

                                      (v)

<PAGE>
 
                               CREDIT AGREEMENT


         This CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of June 27, 1997 and entered into by
and among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California corporation ("COMPANY"), THE
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually
referred to herein as a "LENDER" and collectively as "LENDERS"), and UNION BANK
OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("UBOC"), as agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "AGENT").


                                R E C I T A L S
                                ---------------

         WHEREAS, Company desires that Lenders extend certain credit facilities
to Company for working capital and other general corporate purposes;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, Company, Lenders and Agent agree as
follows:

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS

1.1  CERTAIN DEFINED TERMS.
     --------------------- 

         The following terms used in this Agreement shall have the following
meanings:

         "ADJUSTED LIBOR RATE" means, for any Interest Rate Determination Date
with respect to an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Loan, the rate of interest
per annum obtained by dividing (i) the offered quotation (rounded upward to the
                      --------                                                 
nearest 1/16 of one percent) to first class banks in the London interbank market
by UBOC for U.S. dollar deposits of amounts in same day funds comparable to the
principal amount of the LIBOR Rate Loan of UBOC for which the Adjusted LIBOR
Rate is then being determined with maturities comparable to such Interest Period
as of approximately 9:00 a.m. (Los Angeles time) on such Interest Rate
Determination Date by (ii) a percentage equal to 100% minus the stated maximum
                   --                                 -----                   
rate of all reserve requirements (including any marginal, emergency,
supplemental, special or other reserves) applicable on such Interest Rate
Determination Date to any member

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
bank of the Federal Reserve System in respect of "Eurocurrency liabilities" as
defined in Regulation D (or any successor category of liabilities under
Regulation D).

         "AFFECTED LENDER" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
2.6C.

         "AFFILIATE", as applied to any Person, means any other Person directly
or indirectly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with, that
Person.  For the purposes of this definition, "control" (including, with
correlative meanings, the terms "controlling", "controlled by" and "under common
control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession, directly or
indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of that Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities or
by contract or otherwise.

         "AGENT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement and also means and includes any successor Agent appointed
pursuant to subsection 9.5.

         "AGREEMENT" means this Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as
it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "APPLICABLE LIBOR RATE MARGIN" means the following:

         (i)   if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to
    0.45 to 1.00, .75%;

         (ii)  if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 0.45 to 1.00 but
    greater than or equal to 0.30 to 1.00, .625%; and

         (iii) if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 0.30 to 1.00,
    .50%.

         "ASSET SALE" means the sale by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to
any Person other than Company or any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries of (i) any
of the stock of any of Company's Subsidiaries, (ii) substantially all of the
assets of any division or line of business of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or (iii) any other assets (whether tangible or intangible) of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries other than (a) inventory sold in the ordinary
course of business and (b) any such other assets to the extent that the
aggregate value of such assets sold in any single transaction or related series
of transactions is equal to $5,000,000 or less.

         "ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT" means an Assignment Agreement in substantially
the form of Exhibit VIII annexed hereto.
            ------------                

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
         "BANKRUPTCY CODE" means Title 11 of the United States Code entitled
"Bankruptcy", as now and hereafter in effect, or any successor statute.

         "BASE RATE" means, at any time, the higher of (x) the UBOC Reference
Rate or (y) the rate which is 1/2 of 1% in excess of the Federal Funds Effective
Rate.

         "BASE RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates determined by
reference to the Base Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

         "BUSINESS DAY" means (i) for all purposes other than as covered by
clause (ii) below, any day excluding Saturday, Sunday and any day which is a
legal holiday under the laws of the State of California or is a day on which
banking institutions located in such state are authorized or required by law or
other governmental action to close, and (ii) with respect to all notices,
determinations, fundings and payments in connection with the Adjusted LIBOR Rate
or any LIBOR Rate Loans, any day that is a Business Day described in clause (i)
above and that is also a day for trading by and between banks in Dollar deposits
in the London interbank market.

         "CAPITAL LEASE", as applied to any Person, means any lease of any
property (whether real, personal or mixed) by that Person as lessee that, in
conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital lease on the balance sheet
of that Person.

         "CASH" means money, currency or a credit balance in a Deposit Account.

         "CASH EQUIVALENTS" means, as at any date of determination, (i)
marketable securities (a) issued or directly and unconditionally guaranteed as
to interest and principal by the United States Government or (b) issued by any
agency of the United States the obligations of which are backed by the full
faith and credit of the United States; (ii) marketable direct obligations issued
by any state of the United States of America or any political subdivision of any
such state or any public instrumentality thereof, in each case maturing within
one year after such date and having, at the time of the acquisition thereof, the
highest rating obtainable from either Standard & Poor's Ratings Group ("S&P") or
Moody's Investors Service, Inc. ("MOODY'S"); (iii) commercial paper maturing no
more than one year from the date of creation thereof and having, at the time of
the acquisition thereof, a rating of at least A-1 from S&P or at least P-1 from
Moody's; (iv) certificates of deposit or bankers' acceptances maturing within
one year after such date and issued or accepted by any Lender or by any
commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any
state thereof or the District of Columbia that (a) is at least "adequately
capitalized" (as defined in the regulations of its primary Federal banking
regulator) and (b) has Tier 1 capital (as defined in such regulations) of not
less than $100,000,000; and (v) shares of any money market mutual fund that (a)
has at least

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
95% of its assets invested continuously in the types of investments referred to
in clauses (i) and (ii) above, (b) has net assets of not less than $500,000,000,
and (c) has the highest rating obtainable from either S&P or Moody's.

         "CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS" means a certificate substantially in
the form of Exhibit X annexed hereto delivered by a Lender to Agent pursuant to
            ---------                                                          
subsection 2.7B(iii).

         "CITICORP LOAN AGREEMENT" means that certain Credit Agreement dated as
of February 25, 1993 among Company, Citicorp USA, Inc., and Citibank, N.A.,
including all amendments thereto.

         "CLOSING DATE" means the date on or before July 15, 1997, on which the
initial Loans are made.

         "COLLATERAL" means (i) the Collateral Account, (ii) all amounts on
deposit from time to time in the Collateral Account, (iii) all interest, cash,
instruments, securities and other property from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of the Collateral, and (iv) to the extent not covered by clauses (i) through
(iii) above, all proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Collateral.

         "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" has the meaning assigned to that term in the
Collateral Account Agreement.

         "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT" means the Collateral Account Agreement
executed and delivered by Company and Agent on the Closing Date, substantially
in the form of Exhibit XI annexed hereto, pursuant to which Company may pledge
               ----------                                                     
cash to Agent to secure the obligations of Company to reimburse Issuing Lenders
for payments made under one or more Letters of Credit as provided in Section 8,
as such Collateral Account Agreement may hereafter be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "COMMERCIAL LETTER OF CREDIT" means any letter of credit or similar
instrument issued for the purpose of providing the primary payment mechanism in
connection with the purchase of any materials, goods or services by Company or
any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business of Company or such
Subsidiary.

         "COMMITMENT" means the commitment of a Lender to make Loans to Company
pursuant to subsection 2.1A, and "COMMITMENTS" means such commitments of all
Lenders in the aggregate.

         "COMMITMENT TERMINATION DATE" means June 30, 2004.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
         "COMPANY" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

         "COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE" means a certificate substantially in the form
of Exhibit V annexed hereto delivered to Agent and Lenders by Company pursuant
   ---------                                                                  
to subsection 6.1(iii).

         "CONSOLIDATED" refers to the consolidation of the accounts of Company
and its subsidiaries in accordance with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED EBITDA" means, as of the last day of each Fiscal Quarter
for the fiscal period consisting of that Fiscal Quarter and the three
immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters, the sum of the amounts of (i)
Consolidated Net Income, (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense, (iii) income tax
expense, (iv) total depreciation expense, (v) total amortization expense, and
(vi) other non-cash items reducing Consolidated Net Income less other non-cash
                                                           ----               
items increasing Consolidated Net Income, all of the foregoing as determined on
a consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in conformity with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES" means, for any period, the sum of
(i) the aggregate of all expenditures (whether paid in cash or other
consideration or accrued as a liability and including that portion of Capital
Leases which is capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet of Company and its
Subsidiaries) by Company and its Subsidiaries during that period that, in
conformity with GAAP, are included in "additions to property, plant or
equipment" or comparable items reflected in the consolidated statement of cash
flows of Company and its Subsidiaries plus (ii) to the extent not covered by
                                      ----                                  
clause (i) of this definition, the aggregate of all expenditures by Company and
its Subsidiaries during that period to acquire (by purchase or otherwise) the
business, property or fixed assets of any Person, or the stock or other evidence
of beneficial ownership of any Person that, as a result of such acquisition,
becomes a Subsidiary of Company.

         "CONSOLIDATED CURRENT ASSETS" means, as at any date of determination,
the total assets of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis which
may properly be classified as current assets in conformity with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED CURRENT LIABILITIES" means, as at any date of
determination, the total liabilities of Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis which may properly be classified as current liabilities in
conformity with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGES" means, as of the last day of each Fiscal
Quarter for the fiscal period consisting of that Fiscal Quarter and the three
immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters, the sum (without duplication) of the
amounts for such period of (i) Consolidated Interest Expense, (ii) Consolidated
Scheduled

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
Principal Payments, and (iii) cash dividends or other cash distributions paid on
account of any shares of any class of stock of Company, all of the foregoing as
determined on a consolidated basis for Company and its Subsidiaries in
conformity with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE" means, as of the last day of each
Fiscal Quarter for the fiscal period consisting of that Fiscal Quarter and the
three immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters, the total interest expense
(including that portion attributable to Capital Leases in accordance with GAAP)
of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis with respect to all
outstanding Indebtedness of Company and its Subsidiaries, including all
commissions, discounts and other fees and charges owed with respect to letters
of credit and bankers' acceptance financing and net costs under Interest Rate
Agreements, but excluding, however, any amounts referred to in subsection 2.3
payable to Agent and Lenders on or before the Closing Date.

         "CONSOLIDATED LEVERAGE RATIO" means, as of any date of determination,
the ratio of (i) Consolidated Total Debt on such date to (ii) Consolidated
EBITDA for the immediately preceding four-Fiscal Quarter period ending prior to
such date.

         "CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME" means, for any period, the net income (or
loss) of Company and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis for such period
taken as a single accounting period determined in conformity with GAAP; provided
                                                                        --------
that there shall be excluded (i) the income (or loss) of any Person (other than
a Subsidiary of Company) in which any other Person (other than Company or any of
its Subsidiaries) has a joint interest, except to the extent of the amount of
dividends or other distributions actually paid to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries by such Person during such period, (ii) the income (or loss) of any
Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a Subsidiary of Company or is merged
into or consolidated with Company or any of its Subsidiaries or that Person's
assets are acquired by Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the income of
any Subsidiary of Company to the extent that the declaration or payment of
dividends or similar distributions by that Subsidiary of that income is not at
the time permitted by operation of the terms of its charter or any agreement,
instrument, judgment, decree, order, statute, rule or governmental regulation
applicable to that Subsidiary, (iv) any after-tax gains or losses attributable
to Asset Sales or returned surplus assets of any Pension Plan, and (v) (to the
extent not included in clauses (i) through (iv) above) any net extraordinary
gains or net non-cash extraordinary losses.

         "CONSOLIDATED RENTAL PAYMENTS" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of all rents paid or payable by Company and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis during that period under all Operating Leases to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party as lessee (net of sublease
income).

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
         "CONSOLIDATED SCHEDULED PRINCIPAL PAYMENTS" means, for any period, the
aggregate amount of all scheduled repayments of principal by Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis during such period of all Indebtedness of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including the principal component of Capital
Leases).

         "CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH" means the excess of Consolidated
total assets (less reserves properly deductible) over Consolidated total
liabilities, Consolidated total assets and Consolidated total liabilities each
to be determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with the principles applied
in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Section 5.3
excluding, however, from the determination of Consolidated total assets (a)
- ---------  -------                                                         
goodwill, organizational expenses, research and development expenses,
trademarks, trade names, copyrights, patents, patent applications, licenses and
rights in any thereof, and other similar intangibles, (b) all deferred charges
or unamortized debt discount and expense, (c) all reserves carried and not
deducted from assets, (d) treasury stock and capital stock, obligations or other
securities of, or capital contributions to, or investments in, any Subsidiary,
(e) securities which are not readily marketable, (f) cash held in a sinking or
other analogous fund established for the purpose of redemption, retirement or
prepayment of capital stock or Indebtedness; (g) any write-up in the book value
of any asset resulting from a revaluation thereof subsequent to December 31,
1996; and (h) any items not included in clauses (a) through (g) above which are
treated as intangibles in conformity with GAAP.

         "CONSOLIDATED TOTAL DEBT" means, as at any date of determination, the
aggregate stated balance sheet amount of all Indebtedness of Company and its
Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "CONTINGENT OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any direct or
indirect liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person (i) with respect to
any Indebtedness, lease, dividend or other obligation of another if the primary
purpose or intent thereof by the Person incurring the Contingent Obligation is
to provide assurance to the obligee of such obligation of another that such
obligation of another will be paid or discharged, or that any agreements
relating thereto will be complied with, or that the holders of such obligation
will be protected (in whole or in part) against loss in respect thereof, (ii)
with respect to any letter of credit issued for the account of that Person or as
to which that Person is otherwise liable for reimbursement of drawings, or (iii)
under Hedge Agreements.  Contingent Obligations shall include (a) the direct or
indirect guaranty, endorsement (otherwise than for collection or deposit in the
ordinary course of business), co-making, discounting with recourse or sale with
recourse by such Person of the obligation of another, (b) the obligation to make
take-or-pay or similar payments if required regardless of non-performance by any
other party or parties to an agreement, and (c) any liability of such Person for
the obligation of another through any agreement

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
(contingent or otherwise) (x) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such
obligation or any security therefor, or to provide funds for the payment or
discharge of such obligation (whether in the form of loans, advances, stock
purchases, capital contributions or otherwise) or (y) to maintain the solvency
or any balance sheet item, level of income or financial condition of another if,
in the case of any agreement described under subclauses (x) or (y) of this
sentence, the primary purpose or intent thereof is as described in the preceding
sentence.  The amount of any Contingent Obligation shall be equal to the amount
of the obligation so guaranteed or otherwise supported or, if less, the amount
to which such Contingent Obligation is specifically limited.

         "CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION", as applied to any Person, means any provision
of any Security issued by that Person or of any material indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, contract, undertaking, agreement or other instrument to which
that Person is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or to
which it or any of its properties is subject.

         "CURRENCY AGREEMENT" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement, futures contract, option contract, synthetic cap or other similar
agreement or arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

         "DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" means a demand, time, savings, passbook or like
account with a bank, savings and loan association, credit union or like
organization, other than an account evidenced by a negotiable certificate of
deposit.

         "DOLLARS" and the sign "$" mean the lawful money of the United States
of America.

         "DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any Subsidiary
of such Person incorporated in a jurisdiction of the United States of America or
Puerto Rico.

         "ELIGIBLE ASSIGNEE" means (i) (a) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of the United States or any state thereof and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $500,000,000; (b) a savings and loan association or savings
bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or any state
thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $500,000,000; (c)
a commercial bank organized under the laws of any other country or a political
subdivision thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000; provided that (x) such bank is acting through a branch or agency
              --------                                                        
located in the United States of America or (y) such bank is organized under the
laws of a country that is a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development or a political subdivision of such country; and (d) any other
entity which is an "accredited investor" (as defined in Regulation D under the
Securities Act) which extends credit or buys loans as one

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
of its businesses including, but not limited to, insurance companies, mutual
funds and lease financing companies; and (ii) any Lender and any Affiliate of
any Lender; provided that no Affiliate of Company shall be an Eligible Assignee.
            --------                                                            

         "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" means any "employee benefit plan" as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA which is or was maintained or contributed to by Company,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIM" means any investigation, notice, notice of
violation, claim, action, suit, proceeding, demand, abatement order or other
order or directive (conditional or otherwise), by any governmental authority or
any other Person, arising (i) pursuant to or in connection with any actual or
alleged violation of any Environmental Law, (ii) in connection with any
Hazardous Materials or any actual or alleged Hazardous Materials Activity, or
(iii) in connection with any actual or alleged damage, injury, threat or harm to
health, safety, natural resources or the environment.

         "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" means any and all current or future statutes,
ordinances, orders, rules, regulations, guidance documents, judgments,
Governmental Authorizations, or any other requirements of governmental
authorities relating to (i) environmental matters, including those relating to
any Hazardous Materials Activity, (ii) the generation, use, storage,
transportation or disposal of Hazardous Materials, or (iii) occupational safety
and health, industrial hygiene, land use or the protection of human, plant or
animal health or welfare, in any manner applicable to Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or any Facility, including the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 9601 et seq.), the
                                                              -- ---       
Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. (S) 1801 et seq.), the
                                                           -- ---       
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 6901 et seq.), the Federal
                                                           -- ---               
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 1251 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42
                                                -- ---                         
U.S.C. (S) 7401 et seq.), the Toxic Substances Control Act (15 U.S.C. (S) 2601
                -- ---                                                        
et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (7 U.S.C.
- -- ---                                                                    
(S)136 et seq.), the Occupational Safety and Health Act (29 U.S.C. (S) 651 et
       -- ---                                                              --
seq.), the Oil Pollution Act (33 U.S.C. (S) 2701 et seq) and the Emergency
- ---                                              ------                   
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (42 U.S.C. (S) 11001 et seq.), each as
                                                              -- ---           
amended or supplemented, any analogous present or future state or local statutes
or laws, and any regulations promulgated pursuant to any of the foregoing.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

         "ERISA AFFILIATE" means, as applied to any Person, (i) any corporation
which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of
Section 414(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member;
(ii) any trade or business (whether or not incorporated) which is a member of a
group

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
of trades or businesses under common control within the meaning of Section
414(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person is a member; and (iii)
any member of an affiliated service group within the meaning of Section 414(m)
or (o) of the Internal Revenue Code of which that Person, any corporation
described in clause (i) above or any trade or business described in clause (ii)
above is a member.  Any former ERISA Affiliate of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall continue to be considered an ERISA Affiliate of Company or
such Subsidiary within the meaning of this definition with respect to the period
such entity was an ERISA Affiliate of Company or such Subsidiary and with
respect to liabilities arising after such period for which Company or such
Subsidiary could be liable under the Internal Revenue Code or ERISA.

         "ERISA EVENT" means (i) a "reportable event" within the meaning of
Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued thereunder with respect to any
Pension Plan (excluding those for which the provision for 30-day notice to the
PBGC has been waived by regulation); (ii) the failure to meet the minimum
funding standard of Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any
Pension Plan (whether or not waived in accordance with Section 412(d) of the
Internal Revenue Code) or the failure to make by its due date a required
installment under Section 412(m) of the Internal Revenue Code with respect to
any Pension Plan or the failure to make any required contribution to a
Multiemployer Plan; (iii) the provision by the administrator of any Pension Plan
pursuant to Section 4041(a)(2) of ERISA of a notice of intent to terminate such
plan in a distress termination described in Section 4041(c) of ERISA; (iv) the
withdrawal by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates from any Pension Plan with two or more contributing sponsors or the
termination of any such Pension Plan resulting in liability pursuant to Section
4063 or 4064 of ERISA; (v) the institution by the PBGC of proceedings to
terminate any Pension Plan, or the occurrence of any event or condition which
might constitute grounds under ERISA for the termination of, or the appointment
of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan; (vi) the imposition of liability
on Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates
pursuant to Section 4062(e) or 4069 of ERISA or by reason of the application of
Section 4212(c) of ERISA; (vii) the withdrawal of Company, any of its
Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in a complete or
partial withdrawal (within the meaning of Sections 4203 and 4205 of ERISA) from
any Multiemployer Plan if there is any potential liability therefor, or the
receipt by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates of notice from any Multiemployer Plan that it is in reorganization or
insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA, or that it intends to
terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A or 4042 of ERISA; (viii) the
occurrence of an act or omission which could give rise to the imposition on
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates of
fines, penalties, taxes or related charges under Chapter 43 of the Internal
Revenue Code or under Section 409, Section 502(c), (i) or (l), or Section 4071
of ERISA in respect of any Employee Benefit Plan; (ix) the

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
assertion of a material claim (other than routine claims for benefits) against
any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan or the assets thereof,
or against Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA
Affiliates in connection with any Employee Benefit Plan; (x) receipt from the
Internal Revenue Service of notice of the failure of any Pension Plan (or any
other Employee Benefit Plan intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Internal Revenue Code) to qualify under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue
Code, or the failure of any trust forming part of any Pension Plan to qualify
for exemption from taxation under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code;
or (xi) the imposition of a Lien pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the
Internal Revenue Code or pursuant to ERISA with respect to any Pension Plan.

         "EVENT OF DEFAULT" means each of the events set forth in Section 8.

         "EXCHANGE ACT" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
from time to time, and any successor statute.

         "EXCHANGE RATE" means, on any date when an amount expressed in a
currency other than Dollars is to be determined with respect to any Letter of
Credit, the nominal rate of exchange of the Issuing Lender in the New York
foreign exchange market for the purchase by such Issuing Lender (by cable
transfer) of such currency in exchange for Dollars at 12:00 noon (New York time)
one Business Day prior to such date, expressed as a number of units of such
currency per one Dollar.

         "EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT" means those certain letters of credit
issued for the benefit of Company or its Subsidiaries under the Citicorp Loan
Agreement and outstanding as of the Closing Date.

         "FACILITIES"  means any and all real property (including all buildings,
fixtures or other improvements located thereon) now, hereafter or heretofore
owned, leased, operated or used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of
their respective predecessors or Affiliates.

         "FEDERAL FUNDS EFFECTIVE RATE" means, for any period, a fluctuating
interest rate equal for each day during such period to the weighted average of
the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the Federal
Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers, as published for such day (or,
if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding Business Day) by the
Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the quotations for such day on such
transactions received by Agent from three Federal funds brokers of recognized
standing selected by Agent.

         "FINANCIAL PLAN" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
6.1(xi).

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
         "FISCAL QUARTER" means a fiscal quarter of any Fiscal Year.

         "FISCAL YEAR" means the fiscal year of Company and its Subsidiaries
ending on December 31 of each calendar year.  For purposes of this Agreement,
any particular Fiscal Year shall be designated by reference to the calendar year
in which such Fiscal Year ends.

         "FUNDING AND PAYMENT OFFICE" means (i) the office of Agent located at
1980 Saturn Street, Monterey Park, California  91755 or (ii) such other office
of Agent as may from time to time hereafter be designated as such in a written
notice delivered by Agent to Company and each Lender.

         "FUNDING DATE" means the date of the funding of a Loan.

         "GAAP" means, subject to the limitations on the application thereof set
forth in subsection 1.2, generally accepted accounting principles set forth in
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as may be approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, in each case as the same are applicable to the circumstances as of
the date of determination.

         "GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORIZATION" means any permit, license, authorization,
plan, directive, consent order or consent decree of or from any federal, state
or local governmental authority, agency or court.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" means (i) any chemical, material or substance at
any time defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous substances",
"hazardous wastes", "hazardous materials", "extremely hazardous waste", "acutely
hazardous waste", "radioactive waste", "biohazardous waste", "pollutant", "toxic
pollutant", "contaminant", "restricted hazardous waste", "infectious waste",
"toxic substances",  or any other term or expression intended to define, list or
classify substances by reason of properties harmful to health, safety or the
indoor or outdoor environment (including harmful properties such as
ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, toxicity, reproductive
toxicity, "TCLP toxicity" or "EP toxicity" or words of similar import under any
applicable Environmental Laws); (ii) any oil, petroleum, petroleum fraction or
petroleum derived substance; (iii) any drilling fluids, produced waters and
other wastes associated with the exploration, development or production of crude
oil, natural gas or geothermal resources; (iv) any flammable substances or
explosives; (v) any radioactive materials; (vi) any asbestos-containing
materials; (vii) urea formaldehyde foam insulation; (viii) electrical equipment
which contains any oil or dielectric fluid containing polychlorinated biphenyls;
(ix) pesticides; and (x) any other chemical, material or substance, exposure to
which is prohibited, limited or regulated by any governmental authority or which
may or could

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
pose a hazard to the health and safety of the owners, occupants or any Persons
in the vicinity of any Facility or to the indoor or outdoor environment.

         "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITY" means any past, current, proposed or
threatened activity, event or occurrence involving any Hazardous Materials,
including the use, manufacture, possession, storage, holding, presence,
existence, location, Release, threatened Release, discharge, placement,
generation, transportation, processing, construction, treatment, abatement,
removal, remediation, disposal, disposition or handling of any Hazardous
Materials, and any corrective action or response action with respect to any of
the foregoing.

         "HEDGE AGREEMENT" means an Interest Rate Agreement or a Currency
Agreement designed to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates or currency
values, respectively.

         "INDEBTEDNESS", as applied to any Person, means (i) all indebtedness
for borrowed money, (ii) that portion of obligations with respect to Capital
Leases that is properly classified as a liability on a balance sheet in
conformity with GAAP, (iii) notes payable and drafts accepted representing
extensions of credit whether or not representing obligations for borrowed money,
(iv) any obligation owed for all or any part of the purchase price of property
or services (excluding any such obligations incurred under ERISA), which
purchase price is (a) due more than six months from the date of incurrence of
the obligation in respect thereof in the case of obligations of Persons other
than the Company and its Subsidiaries or (b) evidenced by a note or similar
written instrument, and (v) all indebtedness secured by any Lien on any property
or asset owned or held by that Person regardless of whether the indebtedness
secured thereby shall have been assumed by that Person or is nonrecourse to the
credit of that Person.  Obligations under Interest Rate Agreements and Currency
Agreements constitute (x) in the case of Hedge Agreements, Contingent
Obligations, and (y) in all other cases, Investments, and in neither case
constitute Indebtedness.

         "INDEMNITEE" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 10.3.

         "INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY" means all patents, trademarks, tradenames,
copyrights, technology, know-how and processes used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of Company and its Subsidiaries as currently conducted
that are material to the condition (financial or otherwise), business or
operations of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         "INTEREST PAYMENT DATE" means (i) with respect to any Base Rate Loan,
each March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing on
the first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and (ii) with respect to
any LIBOR Rate Loan, the last day of each Interest Period applicable to such
Loan;

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
provided that in the case of each Interest Period of longer than three months
- --------                                                                     
"Interest Payment Date" shall also include each date that is three months, or an
integral multiple thereof, after the commencement of such Interest Period.

         "INTEREST PERIOD" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection
2.2B.

         "INTEREST RATE AGREEMENT" means any interest rate swap agreement,
interest rate cap agreement, interest rate collar agreement or other similar
agreement or arrangement to which Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party.

         "INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION DATE" means, with respect to any Interest
Period, the second Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest Period.

         "INTERNAL REVENUE CODE" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended to the date hereof and from time to time hereafter, and any successor
statute.

         "INVESTMENT" means (i) any direct or indirect purchase or other
acquisition by Company or any of its Subsidiaries of, or of a beneficial
interest in, any Securities of any other Person (including any Subsidiary of
Company), (ii) any direct or indirect redemption, retirement, purchase or other
acquisition for value, by any Subsidiary of Company from any Person other than
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, of any equity Securities of such Subsidiary,
(iii) any direct or indirect loan, advance (other than advances to employees for
moving, entertainment and travel expenses, drawing accounts and similar
expenditures in the ordinary course of business) or capital contribution by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any other Person, including all
indebtedness and accounts receivable from that other Person that are not current
assets (other than current assets arising from sales in the ordinary course of
business to Persons other than the Company and its Subsidiaries) or did not
arise from sales to that other Person in the ordinary course of business, or
(iv) Interest Rate Agreements or Currency Agreements not constituting Hedge
Agreements.  The amount of any Investment shall be the original cost of such
Investment plus the cost of all additions thereto, without any adjustments for
           ----                                                               
increases or decreases in value, or write-ups, write-downs or write-offs with
respect to such Investment.

         "ISSUING LENDER" means UBOC.

         "JOINT VENTURE" means a joint venture, partnership or other similar
arrangement, whether in corporate, partnership or other legal form; provided
                                                                    --------
that in no event shall any corporate Subsidiary of any Person be considered to
be a Joint Venture to which such Person is a party.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
         "LENDER" and "LENDERS" means the persons identified as "Lenders" and
listed on the signature pages of this Agreement, together with their successors
and permitted assigns pursuant to subsection 10.1.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT" or "LETTERS OF CREDIT" means Commercial Letters of
Credit and Standby Letters of Credit issued or to be issued by Issuing Lender
for the account of Company pursuant to subsection 3.1.

         "LETTER OF CREDIT USAGE" means, as at any date of determination, the
sum of (i) the maximum aggregate amount which is or at any time thereafter may
become available for drawing under all Letters of Credit then outstanding plus
                                                                          ----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all drawings under Letters of Credit honored by
Issuing Lenders and not theretofore reimbursed by Company (including any such
reimbursement out of the proceeds of Loans pursuant to subsection 3.3B).  For
purposes of this definition, any amount described in clause (i) or (ii) of the
preceding sentence which is denominated in a currency other than Dollars shall
be valued based on the applicable Exchange Rate for such currency as of the
applicable date of determination.

         "LIBOR RATE LOANS" means Loans bearing interest at rates determined by
reference to the Adjusted LIBOR Rate as provided in subsection 2.2A.

         "LIEN" means any lien, mortgage, pledge, assignment, security interest,
charge or encumbrance of any kind (including any conditional sale or other title
retention agreement, any lease in the nature thereof, and any agreement to give
any security interest) and any option, trust or other preferential arrangement
having the practical effect of any of the foregoing.

         "LOAN DOCUMENTS" means this Agreement, the Notes, any applications for,
or reimbursement agreements or other documents or certificates executed by
Company in favor of an Issuing Lender relating to, the Letters of Credit, the
Subsidiary Guaranties, the Subordination Agreements and the Collateral Account
Agreement.

         "LOAN EXPOSURE" means, with respect to any Lender as of any date of
determination (i) prior to the termination of the Commitments, that Lender's
Commitment and (ii) after the termination of the Commitments, the sum of (a) the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans of that Lender plus (b) in
                                                                   ----       
the event that Lender is an Issuing Lender, the aggregate Letter of Credit Usage
in respect of all Letters of Credit issued by that Lender (in each case net of
any participations purchased by other Lenders in such Letters of Credit or any
unreimbursed drawings thereunder) plus (c) the aggregate amount of all
                                  ----                                
participations purchased by that Lender in any drawings under Letters of Credit
honored by Issuing Lenders and not theretofore reimbursed by Company.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
         "LOANS" means the Loans made by Lenders to Company pursuant to
subsection 2.1A.

         "LOAN PARTIES" means Company and each of the Subsidiary Guarantors.

         "MARGIN STOCK" has the meaning assigned to that term in Regulation U of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as in effect from time to
time.

         "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means (i) a material adverse effect upon the
business, operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole or (ii) the
impairment of the ability of Company to perform, or of Agent or Lenders to
enforce, the Obligations.

         "MATERIAL CONTRACT" means any contract or other arrangement to which
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party (other than the Loan Documents)
for which breach, nonperformance, cancellation or failure to renew could have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan which is a
"multiemployer plan" as defined in Section 3(37) of ERISA.

         "NET ASSET SALE PROCEEDS" means, with respect to any Asset Sale, Cash
payments (including any Cash received by way of deferred payment pursuant to, or
by monetization of, a note receivable or otherwise, but only as and when so
received) received from such Asset Sale, net of any bona fide direct costs
incurred in connection with such Asset Sale, including (i) income taxes
reasonably estimated to be actually payable within two years of the date of such
Asset Sale as a result of any gain recognized in connection with such Asset Sale
and (ii) payment of the outstanding principal amount of, premium or penalty, if
any, and interest on any Indebtedness (other than the Loans) that is secured by
a Lien on the stock or assets in question and that is required to be repaid
under the terms thereof as a result of such Asset Sale.

         "NON-MATERIAL DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARY" means any Domestic Subsidiary of
Company owning assets with a fair market value of less than $250,000; provided
that the total fair market value of all assets owned by all Non-Material
Domestic Subsidiaries which are not Subsidiary Guarantors shall not exceed
$1,000,000.

         "NOTES" means any promissory notes of Company issued pursuant to
subsection 2.1E to evidence the Loans of any Lender, substantially in the form
of Exhibit IV annexed hereto, as they may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
   ----------                                                                  
modified from time to time.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
         "NOTICE OF BORROWING" means a notice substantially in the form of
Exhibit I annexed hereto delivered by Company to Agent pursuant to subsection
- ---------                                                                    
2.1B with respect to a proposed borrowing.

         "NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION" means a notice substantially in the
form of Exhibit II annexed hereto delivered by Company to Agent pursuant to
        ----------                                                         
subsection 2.2D with respect to a proposed conversion or continuation of the
applicable basis for determining the interest rate with respect to the Loans
specified therein.

         "NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT" means a notice substantially
in the form of Exhibit III annexed hereto delivered by Company to Agent pursuant
               -----------                                                      
to subsection 3.1B(i) with respect to the proposed issuance of a Letter of
Credit.

         "OBLIGATIONS" means all obligations of every nature of Loan Parties
from time to time owed to Agent, Lenders or any of them under the Loan
Documents, whether for principal, interest, reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnification or otherwise.

         "OFFICERS' CERTIFICATE" means, as applied to any corporation, a
certificate executed on behalf of such corporation by its chairman of the board
(if an officer) or its president or one of its vice presidents and by its chief
financial officer, its treasurer or its secretary.

         "OPERATING LEASE" means, as applied to any Person, any lease (including
leases that may be terminated by the lessee at any time) of any property
(whether real, personal or mixed) that is not a Capital Lease other than any
such lease under which that Person is the lessor.

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor
thereto.

         "PENSION PLAN" means any Employee Benefit Plan, other than a
Multiemployer Plan, which is subject to Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code
or Section 302 of ERISA.

         "PERMITTED ENCUMBRANCES" means the following types of Liens (excluding
any such Lien imposed pursuant to Section 401(a)(29) or 412(n) of the Internal
Revenue Code or by ERISA and any such Lien relating to or imposed in connection
with any Environmental Claim):

         (i)    Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or claims
    the payment of which is not, at the time, required by subsection 6.3;

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)   statutory Liens of landlords, statutory Liens of banks and
    rights of set-off, statutory Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics,
    repairmen, workmen and materialmen, and other Liens imposed by law, in each
    case incurred in the ordinary course of business (a) for amounts not yet
    overdue or (b) for amounts that are overdue and that (in the case of any
    such amounts overdue for a period in excess of 10 days) are being contested
    in good faith by appropriate proceedings, so long as such reserves or other
    appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required by GAAP shall have been
    made for any such contested amounts;

         (iii)  Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of
    business in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance
    and other types of social security, or to secure the performance of tenders,
    statutory obligations, surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases, government
    contracts, trade contracts, performance and return-of-money bonds and other
    similar obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed
    money);

         (iv)   any attachment or judgment Lien not constituting an Event of
    Default under subsection 8.8;

         (v)    leases or subleases granted to third parties and not interfering
    in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the business of Company
    or any of its Subsidiaries;

         (vi)   easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, encroachments, and other
    minor defects or irregularities in title, in each case which do not and will
    not interfere in any material respect with the ordinary conduct of the
    business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

         (vii)  any (a) interest or title of a lessor or sublessor under any
    lease permitted by subsection 7.9 or any Capital Lease permitted by
    subsection 7.1, (b) restriction or encumbrance that the interest or title of
    such lessor or sublessor may be subject to, or (c) subordination of the
    interest of the lessee or sublessee under such lease to any restriction or
    encumbrance referred to in the preceding clause (b), so long as the holder
    of such restriction or encumbrance agrees to recognize the rights of such
    lessee or sublessee under such lease;

         (viii) Liens arising from filing UCC financing statements relating
    solely to leases permitted by this Agreement;

         (ix)   Liens in favor of customs and revenue authorities arising as a
    matter of law to secure payment of customs duties in connection with the
    importation of goods;

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
         (x)    any zoning or similar law or right reserved to or vested in any
    governmental office or agency to control or regulate the use of any real
    property;

         (xi)   Liens securing obligations (other than obligations representing
    Indebtedness for borrowed money) under operating, reciprocal easement or
    similar agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business of
    Company and its Subsidiaries; and

         (xii)  licenses of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property
    rights granted by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in the ordinary course
    of business and not interfering in any material respect with the ordinary
    conduct of the business of Company or such Subsidiary.

         "PERSON" means and includes natural persons, corporations, limited
partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, limited
liability partnerships, joint stock companies, Joint Ventures, associations,
companies, trusts, banks, trust companies, land trusts, business trusts or other
organizations, whether or not legal entities, and governments (whether federal,
state or local, domestic or foreign, and including political subdivisions
thereof) and agencies or other administrative or regulatory bodies thereof.

         "POTENTIAL EVENT OF DEFAULT" means a condition or event that, after
notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

         "PRO RATA SHARE" means, with respect to each Lender, the percentage
obtained by dividing (x) the Loan Exposure of that Lender by (y) the aggregate
            --------                                      --                  
Loan Exposure of all Lenders, as such percentage may be adjusted by assignments
permitted pursuant to subsection 10.1.  The initial Pro Rata Share of each
Lender is set forth opposite the name of that Lender in Schedule 2.1 annexed
                                                        ------------        
hereto.

         "REGISTER" has the meaning assigned to that term in subsection 2.1D.

         "REGULATION D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

         "REIMBURSEMENT DATE" has the meaning assigned to that term in
subsection 3.3B.

         "RELEASE" means any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping,
pouring, injection, escaping, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, dumping,
leaching or migration of Hazardous Materials into the indoor or outdoor
environment (including the abandonment or disposal of any barrels, containers or
other closed receptacles

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
containing any Hazardous Materials), including the movement of any Hazardous
Materials through the air, soil, surface water or groundwater.

         "REQUISITE LENDERS" means Lenders having or holding at least 66-2/3% of
the aggregate Loan Exposure of all Lenders.

         "RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENT" means (i) any dividend or other
distribution, direct or indirect, on account of any shares of any class of stock
of Company now or hereafter outstanding, except a dividend payable solely in
shares of that class of stock to the holders of that class, (ii) any redemption,
retirement, sinking fund or similar payment, purchase or other acquisition for
value, direct or indirect, of any shares of any class of stock of Company now or
hereafter outstanding, (iii) any payment made to retire, or to obtain the
surrender of, any outstanding warrants, options or other rights to acquire
shares of any class of stock of Company now or hereafter outstanding, and (iv)
any payment or prepayment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or
redemption, purchase, retirement, defeasance (including in-substance or legal
defeasance), sinking fund or similar payment with respect to, the Senior Notes;
provided the term "Restricted Junior Payment" shall not include regularly
- --------                                                                 
scheduled payments of principal and interest in respect of the Senior Notes to
the extent required by the Senior Note Agreement, as in effect on the date
hereof.

         "SECURITIES" means any stock, shares, partnership interests, voting
trust certificates, certificates of interest or participation in any profit-
sharing agreement or arrangement, options, warrants, bonds, debentures, notes,
or other evidences of indebtedness, secured or unsecured, convertible,
subordinated or otherwise, or in general any instruments commonly known as
"securities" or any certificates of interest, shares or participations in
temporary or interim certificates for the purchase or acquisition of, or any
right to subscribe to, purchase or acquire, any of the foregoing.

         "SECURITIES ACT" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time
to time, and any successor statute.

         "SENIOR NOTE AGREEMENT" means that certain Note Agreement dated as of
July 1, 1992 among the Borrower and each of the purchasers named in Schedule I
thereto, as amended from time to time.

         "SENIOR NOTES" means the Notes issued pursuant to the Senior Note
Agreement.

         "SENIOR NOTE WAIVER" has the meaning assigned to such term in
subsection 4.1L.

         "SOLVENT" means, with respect to any Person, that as of the date of
determination both (A) (i) the then fair saleable value of the property of such
Person

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
is (y) greater than the total amount of liabilities (including contingent
liabilities) of such Person and (z) not less than the amount that will be
required to pay the probable liabilities on such Person's then existing debts as
they become absolute and matured considering all financing alternatives and
potential asset sales reasonably available to such Person; (ii) such Person's
capital is not unreasonably small in relation to its business or any
contemplated or undertaken transaction; and (iii) such Person does not intend to
incur, or believe (nor should it reasonably believe) that it will incur, debts
beyond its ability to pay such debts as they become due; and (B) such Person is
"solvent" within the meaning given that term and similar terms under applicable
laws relating to fraudulent transfers and conveyances.  For purposes of this
definition, the amount of any contingent liability at any time shall be computed
as the amount that, in light of all of the facts and circumstances existing at
such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an
actual or matured liability.

         "STANDBY LETTER OF CREDIT" means any standby letter of credit or
similar instrument issued for the purpose of supporting (i) Indebtedness of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in respect of industrial revenue or
development bonds or financings, (ii) workers' compensation liabilities of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) the obligations of third party
insurers of Company or any of its Subsidiaries arising by virtue of the laws of
any jurisdiction requiring third party insurers, (iv) obligations with respect
to Capital Leases or Operating Leases of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and
(v) performance, payment, deposit or surety obligations of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

         "SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT" means each Amended and Restated Subordination
Agreement, in substantially the form of Exhibit IX-A hereto, executed and
                                        ------------                     
delivered by Company and each Subsidiary Guarantor on the Closing Date, and (ii)
each Subordination Agreement executed and delivered by Company and each
additional Subsidiary Guarantor in accordance with subsection 6.8, substantially
in the form of Exhibit IX-B annexed hereto (collectively the "SUBORDINATION
               ------------                                                
AGREEMENTS"), as such Subordination Agreements may be amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "SUBSIDIARY" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture or other
business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares of
stock or other ownership interests entitled (without regard to the occurrence of
any contingency) to vote in the election of the Person or Persons (whether
directors, managers, trustees or other Persons performing similar functions)
having the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies
thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that
Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination
thereof.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
         "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR" means any Subsidiary of Company that executes
and delivers a Subsidiary Guaranty on the Closing Date or from time to time
thereafter pursuant to subsection 6.8.

         "SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY" means (i) each Amended and Restated Subsidiary
Guaranty executed and delivered by a Subsidiary Guarantor on the Closing Date,
substantially in the form of Exhibit XII-A annexed hereto and (ii) each
                             -------------                             
Subsidiary Guaranty executed and delivered by each additional Domestic
Subsidiary of Company from time to time in accordance with subsection 6.8,
substantially in the form of Exhibit XII-B annexed hereto (collectively, the
                             -------------                                  
"SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES"), as such Subsidiary Guaranties may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "TAX" or "TAXES" means any present or future tax, levy, impost, duty,
charge, fee, deduction or withholding of any nature and whatever called, by
whomsoever, on whomsoever and wherever imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed; provided that "TAX ON THE OVERALL NET INCOME" of a Person shall be
          --------                                                          
construed as a reference to a tax imposed by the jurisdiction in which that
Person is organized or in which that Person's principal office (and/or, in the
case of a Lender, its lending office) is located or in which that Person
(and/or, in the case of a Lender, its lending office) is deemed to be doing
business on all or part of the net income, profits or gains (whether worldwide,
or only insofar as such income, profits or gains are considered to arise in or
to relate to a particular jurisdiction, or otherwise including minimum franchise
taxes, if applicable) of that Person (and/or, in the case of a Lender, its
lending office).

         "TOTAL UTILIZATION OF COMMITMENTS" means, as at any date of
determination, the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of all outstanding
Loans (other than Loans made for the purpose of reimbursing the applicable
Issuing Lender for any amount drawn under any Letter of Credit but not yet so
applied) plus (ii) the Letter of Credit Usage.
         ----                                 

         "UBOC" has the meaning assigned to that term in the introduction to
this Agreement.

         "UBOC REFERENCE RATE" means, at any time, the per annum rate publicly
announced by UBOC from time to time at its head office as its "reference rate."
The "reference rate" is determined by UBOC from time to time as a means of
pricing credit extensions to some customers and is neither directly tied to any
external rate of interest or index nor necessarily the lowest rate of interest
charged by UBOC at any given time for any particular class of customers or
credit extensions.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
1.2   ACCOUNTING TERMS; UTILIZATION OF GAAP FOR PURPOSES OF CALCULATIONS UNDER
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      AGREEMENT.
      --------- 

         Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, all
accounting terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in conformity with GAAP.  Financial statements and other information
required to be delivered by Company to Lenders pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii)
of subsection 6.1 shall be prepared in accordance with GAAP as in effect at the
time of such preparation (and delivered together with the reconciliation
statements provided for in subsection 6.1(v)).  Calculations in connection with
the definitions, covenants and other provisions of this Agreement shall utilize
accounting principles and policies in conformity with those used to prepare the
financial statements referred to in subsection 5.3.

1.3   OTHER DEFINITIONAL PROVISIONS AND RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.
      ------------------------------------------------------- 

         A.   Any of the terms defined herein may, unless the context otherwise
requires, be used in the singular or the plural, depending on the reference.

         B.   References to "Sections" and "subsections" shall be to Sections
and subsections, respectively, of this Agreement unless otherwise specifically
provided.

         C.   The use in any of the Loan Documents of the word "include" or
"including", when following any general statement, term or matter, shall not be
construed to limit such statement, term or matter to the specific items or
matters set forth immediately following such word or to similar items or
matters, whether or not nonlimiting language (such as "without limitation" or
"but not limited to" or words of similar import) is used with reference thereto,
but rather shall be deemed to refer to all other items or matters that fall
within the broadest possible scope of such general statement, term or matter.


SECTION 2.  AMOUNTS AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS AND LOANS

2.1   COMMITMENTS; MAKING OF LOANS; THE REGISTER; NOTES.
      ------------------------------------------------- 

      A.  COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and
in reliance upon the representations and warranties of Company herein set forth,
each Lender hereby severally agrees, subject to the limitations set forth below
with respect to the maximum amount of Loans permitted to be outstanding from
time to time, to lend to Company from time to time during the period from the
Closing Date to but excluding the Commitment Termination Date an aggregate
amount not exceeding its Pro Rata Share of the aggregate amount of the
Commitments to be used for the purposes identified in subsection 2.5A.  The
original amount of each

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Lender's Commitment is set forth opposite its name on Schedule 2.1 annexed
                                                      ------------        
hereto and the aggregate original amount of the Commitments is $65,000,000;
provided that the Commitments of Lenders shall be adjusted to give effect to any
- --------                                                                        
assignments of the Commitments pursuant to subsection 10.1B; and provided,
                                                                 -------- 
further that the amount of the Commitments shall be reduced from time to time by
- -------                                                                         
the amount of any reductions thereto made pursuant to subsections 2.4A, 2.4B(ii)
and 2.4B(iii).  Each Lender's Commitment shall expire on the Commitment
Termination Date and all Loans and all other amounts owed hereunder with respect
to the Loans and the Commitments shall be paid in full no later than that date;
provided that each Lender's Commitment shall expire immediately and without
- --------                                                                   
further action on July 15, 1997 if the initial Loans are not made on or before
that date.  Amounts borrowed under this subsection 2.1A may be repaid and
reborrowed to but excluding the Commitment Termination Date.

         Anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding,
the Loans and the Commitments shall be subject to the limitation that in no
event shall the Total Utilization of Commitments at any time exceed the
Commitments then in effect.

    B.   BORROWING MECHANICS.  Loans made on any Funding Date (other than Loans
made pursuant to subsection 3.3B for the purpose of reimbursing any Issuing
Lender for the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it) shall
be in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000,000 in excess of that amount; provided that Loans made on any Funding
                                     --------                               
Date as LIBOR Rate Loans with a particular Interest Period shall be in an
aggregate minimum amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in
excess of that amount.  Whenever Company desires that Lenders make Loans it
shall deliver to Agent a Notice of Borrowing no later than 9:00 A.M. (Los
Angeles time) at least three Business Days in advance of the proposed Funding
Date (in the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan) or on the proposed Funding Date (in the
case of a Base Rate Loan).  The Notice of Borrowing shall specify (i) the
proposed Funding Date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount of Loans
requested, (iii) whether such Loans shall be Base Rate Loans or LIBOR Rate
Loans, and (iv) in the case of any Loans requested to be made as LIBOR Rate
Loans, the initial Interest Period requested therefor.  Loans may be continued
as or converted into Base Rate Loans and LIBOR Rate Loans in the manner provided
in subsection 2.2D.  In lieu of delivering the above-described Notice of
Borrowing, Company may give Agent telephonic notice by the required time of any
proposed borrowing under this subsection 2.1B; provided that such notice shall
                                               --------                       
be promptly confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of Borrowing to Agent
on or before the applicable Funding Date.

         Neither Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to Company in
acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Agent believes in good
faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person authorized
to borrow

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
on behalf of Company or for otherwise acting in good faith under this subsection
2.1B, and upon funding of Loans by Lenders in accordance with this Agreement
pursuant to any such telephonic notice Company shall have effected Loans
hereunder.

         Company shall notify Agent prior to the funding of any Loans in the
event that any of the matters to which Company is required to certify in the
applicable Notice of Borrowing is no longer true and correct as of the
applicable Funding Date, and the acceptance by Company of the proceeds of any
Loans shall constitute a re-certification by Company, as of the applicable
Funding Date, as to the matters to which Company is required to certify in the
applicable Notice of Borrowing.

         Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Borrowing for a LIBOR Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof)
shall be irrevocable on and after the related Interest Rate Determination Date,
and Company shall be bound to make a borrowing in accordance therewith.

    C.   DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.  All Loans under this Agreement shall be made by
Lenders simultaneously and proportionately to their respective Pro Rata Shares,
it being understood that no Lender shall be responsible for any default by any
other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to make a Loan requested
hereunder nor shall the Commitment of any Lender be increased or decreased as a
result of a default by any other Lender in that other Lender's obligation to
make a Loan requested hereunder.  Promptly after receipt by Agent of a Notice of
Borrowing pursuant to subsection 2.1B (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof),
Agent shall notify each Lender of the proposed borrowing.  Each Lender shall
make the amount of its Loan available to Agent, in same day funds in Dollars, at
the Funding and Payment Office, not later than 9:00 A.M. (Los Angeles time) (in
the case of a LIBOR Rate Loan) or 2:00 P.M. (Los Angeles time) (in the case of a
Base Rate Loan) on the applicable Funding Date.  Except as provided in
subsection 3.3B with respect to Loans used to reimburse any Issuing Lender for
the amount of a drawing under a Letter of Credit issued by it, upon satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions precedent specified in subsections 4.1 (in the case
of Loans made on the Closing Date) and 4.2 (in the case of all Loans), Agent
shall make the proceeds of such Loans available to Company on the applicable
Funding Date by causing an amount of same day funds in Dollars equal to the
proceeds of all such Loans received by Agent from Lenders to be credited to the
account of Company at the Funding and Payment Office.

         Unless Agent shall have been notified by any Lender prior to the
Funding Date for any Loans that such Lender does not intend to make available to
Agent the amount of such Lender's Loan requested on such Funding Date, Agent may
assume that such Lender has made such amount available to Agent on such Funding
Date and Agent may, in its sole discretion, but shall not be obligated to, make
available to Company a corresponding amount on such Funding Date.  If such

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
corresponding amount is not in fact made available to Agent by such Lender,
Agent shall be entitled to recover such corresponding amount on demand from such
Lender together with interest thereon, for each day from such Funding Date until
the date such amount is paid to Agent, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for
three Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate.  If such Lender does not
pay such corresponding amount forthwith upon Agent's demand therefor, Agent
shall promptly notify Company and Company shall immediately pay such
corresponding amount to Agent together with interest thereon, for each day from
such Funding Date until the date such amount is paid to Agent, at the rate
payable under this Agreement for Base Rate Loans.  Nothing in this subsection
2.1C shall be deemed to relieve any Lender from its obligation to fulfill its
Commitment hereunder or to prejudice any rights that Company may have against
any Lender as a result of any default by such Lender hereunder.

    D.   THE REGISTER.

         (i)    Agent shall maintain, at its address referred to in subsection
    10.8, a register for the recordation of the names and addresses of Lenders
    and the Commitment and Loans of each Lender from time to time (the
    "REGISTER").  The Register shall be available for inspection by Company or
    any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable
    prior notice.

         (ii)   Agent shall record in the Register the Commitment and the Loans
    from time to time of each Lender and each repayment or prepayment in respect
    of the principal amount of the Loans of each Lender.  Any such recordation
    shall be conclusive and binding on Company and each Lender, absent manifest
    error; provided that failure to make any such recordation, or any error in
           --------                                                           
    such recordation, shall not affect any Lender's Commitment or Company's
    Obligations in respect of any applicable Loans.

         (iii)  Each Lender shall record on its internal records (including any
    Note held by such Lender) the amount of each Loan made by it and each
    payment in respect thereof.  Any such recordation shall be conclusive and
    binding on Company, absent manifest error; provided that failure to make any
                                               --------                         
    such recordation, or any error in such recordation, shall not affect any
    Lender's Commitment or Company's Obligations in respect of any applicable
    Loans; and provided, further that in the event of any inconsistency between
               --------  -------                                               
    the Register and any Lender's records, the recordations in the Register
    shall govern.

         (iv)   Company, Agent and Lenders shall deem and treat the Persons
    listed as Lenders in the Register as the holders and owners of the
    corresponding Commitments and Loans listed therein for all purposes hereof,
    and no assignment or transfer of any such Commitment or Loan shall be
    effective, in each case unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting
    the

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
    assignment or transfer thereof shall have been accepted by Agent and
    recorded in the Register as provided in subsection 10.1B(ii).  Prior to such
    recordation, all amounts owed with respect to the applicable Commitment or
    Loan shall be owed to the Lender listed in the Register as the owner
    thereof, and any request, authority or consent of any Person who, at the
    time of making such request or giving such authority or consent, is listed
    in the Register as a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on any
    subsequent holder, assignee or transferee of the corresponding Commitment or
    Loans.

         (v)    Company hereby designates UBOC to serve as Company's agent
    solely for purposes of maintaining the Register as provided in this
    subsection 2.1D, and Company hereby agrees that, to the extent UBOC serves
    in such capacity, UBOC and its officers, directors, employees, agents and
    affiliates shall constitute Indemnitees for all purposes under subsection
    10.3.

    E.   NOTES.  Company shall execute and deliver to each Lender (or to Agent
for that Lender) on the Closing Date a Note substantially in the form of Exhibit
                                                                         -------
IV annexed hereto to evidence that Lender's Loans, in the principal amount of
- --                                                                           
that Lender's Commitment and with other appropriate insertions.

2.2   INTEREST ON THE LOANS.
      --------------------- 

      A.   RATE OF INTEREST.  Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.6 and
2.7, each Loan shall bear interest on the unpaid principal amount thereof from
the date made through maturity (whether by acceleration or otherwise) at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate or the Adjusted LIBOR Rate.  The
applicable basis for determining the rate of interest with respect to any Loan
shall be selected by Company initially at the time a Notice of Borrowing is
given with respect to such Loan pursuant to subsection 2.1B, and the basis for
determining the interest rate with respect to any Loan may be changed from time
to time pursuant to subsection 2.2D. If on any day a Loan is outstanding with
respect to which notice has not been delivered to Agent in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement specifying the applicable basis for determining the rate
of interest, then for that day that Loan shall bear interest determined by
reference to the Base Rate.

         Subject to the provisions of subsections 2.2E and 2.7, the Loans shall
bear interest through maturity as follows:

         (i)    if a Base Rate Loan, then at the Base Rate minus .25% per annum;
                                                           -----            
      or
                                                        
         (ii)   if a LIBOR Rate Loan, then at the sum of the Adjusted LIBOR Rate
      plus the Applicable LIBOR Rate Margin per annum.
      ----                                            

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
    B.   INTEREST PERIODS.  In connection with each LIBOR Rate Loan, Company
may, pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, as the case may be, select an interest period (each an
"INTEREST PERIOD") to be applicable to such Loan, which Interest Period shall
be, at Company's option, either a two week or a one, two, three or six month
period; provided that:
        --------      

         (i)    the initial Interest Period for any LIBOR Rate Loan shall
    commence on the Funding Date in respect of such Loan, in the case of a Loan
    initially made as a LIBOR Rate Loan, or on the date specified in the
    applicable Notice of Conversion/Continuation, in the case of a Loan
    converted to a LIBOR Rate Loan;

         (ii)   in the case of immediately successive Interest Periods
    applicable to a LIBOR Rate Loan continued as such pursuant to a Notice of
    Conversion/Continuation, each successive Interest Period shall commence on
    the day on which the next preceding Interest Period expires;

         (iii)  if an Interest Period would otherwise expire on a day that is
    not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next succeeding
    Business Day; provided that, if any Interest Period would otherwise expire
                  --------                                                    
    on a day that is not a Business Day but is a day of the month after which no
    further Business Day occurs in such month, such Interest Period shall expire
    on the next preceding Business Day;

         (iv)   any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day of a
    calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically corresponding
    day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) shall, subject
    to clause (v) of this subsection 2.2B, end on the last Business Day of a
    calendar month;

         (v)    no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Loans
    shall extend beyond the Commitment Termination Date;

         (vi)   no Interest Period with respect to any portion of the Loans
    shall extend beyond the date on which a permanent reduction of the
    Commitments is scheduled to occur unless the sum of (a) the aggregate
    principal amount of Loans that are Base Rate Loans plus (b) the aggregate
                                                       ----    
    principal amount of Loans that are LIBOR Rate Loans with Interest Periods
    expiring on or before such date plus (c) the excess of the Commitments then
                                    ----
    in effect over the aggregate principal amount of Loans then outstanding
    equals or exceeds the permanent reduction of the Commitments that is
    scheduled to occur on such date;

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
          (vii)  there shall be no more than six Interest Periods outstanding at
     any time; and

          (viii) in the event Company fails to specify an Interest Period for
     any LIBOR Rate Loan in the applicable Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
     Conversion/Continuation, Company shall be deemed to have selected an
     Interest Period of one month.

     C.   INTEREST PAYMENTS.  Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.2E,
interest on each Loan shall be payable in arrears on and to each Interest
Payment Date applicable to that Loan, upon any prepayment of that Loan (to the
extent accrued on the amount being prepaid) and at maturity (including final
maturity).

     D.   CONVERSION OR CONTINUATION.  Subject to the provisions of subsection
2.6, Company shall have the option (i) to convert at any time all or any part of
its outstanding Loans equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000
in excess of that amount from Loans bearing interest at a rate determined by
reference to one basis to Loans bearing interest at a rate determined by
reference to an alternative basis or (ii) upon the expiration of any Interest
Period applicable to a LIBOR Rate Loan, to continue all or any portion of such
Loan equal to $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that
amount as a LIBOR Rate Loan; provided, however, that a LIBOR Rate Loan may only
                             --------- -------                                 
be converted into a Base Rate Loan on the expiration date of an Interest Period
applicable thereto.

          Company shall deliver a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to Agent no
later than 9:00 A.M. (Los Angeles time) on the proposed conversion date (in the
case of a conversion to a Base Rate Loan) and at least three Business Days in
advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date (in the case of a
conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan). A Notice of
Conversion/Continuation shall specify (i) the proposed conversion/continuation
date (which shall be a Business Day), (ii) the amount and type of the Loan to be
converted/continued, (iii) the nature of the proposed conversion/continuation,
(iv) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan,
the requested Interest Period, and (v) in the case of a conversion to, or a
continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Loan, that no Potential Event of Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is continuing. In lieu of delivering the above-
described Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Company may give Agent telephonic
notice by the required time of any proposed conversion/continuation under this
subsection 2.2D; provided that such notice shall be promptly confirmed in
                 --------                                                
writing by delivery of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to Agent on or before
the proposed conversion/continuation date.  Upon receipt of written or
telephonic notice of any proposed conversion/continuation under this subsection
2.2D, Agent shall promptly transmit such notice by telefacsimile or telephone to
each Lender.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          Neither Agent nor any Lender shall incur any liability to Company in
acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Agent believes in good
faith to have been given by a duly authorized officer or other person authorized
to act on behalf of Company or for otherwise acting in good faith under this
subsection 2.2D, and upon conversion or continuation of the applicable basis for
determining the interest rate with respect to any Loans in accordance with this
Agreement pursuant to any such telephonic notice Company shall have effected a
conversion or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.

          Except as otherwise provided in subsections 2.6B, 2.6C and 2.6G, a
Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, or continuation of, a LIBOR
Rate Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu thereof) shall be irrevocable on and
after the related Interest Rate Determination Date, and Company shall be bound
to effect a conversion or continuation in accordance therewith.

     E.   DEFAULT RATE.  Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any
Event of Default, the outstanding principal amount of all Loans and, to the
extent permitted by applicable law, any interest payments thereon not paid when
due and any fees and other amounts then due and payable hereunder, shall
thereafter bear interest (including post-petition interest in any proceeding
under the Bankruptcy Code or other applicable bankruptcy laws) payable upon
demand at a rate that is 2% per annum in excess of the interest rate otherwise
payable under this Agreement with respect to the applicable Loans (or, in the
case of any such fees and other amounts, at a rate which is 2% per annum in
excess of the interest rate otherwise payable under this Agreement for Base Rate
Loans); provided that, in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, upon the expiration of
        --------                                                              
the Interest Period in effect at the time any such increase in interest rate is
effective such LIBOR Rate Loans shall thereupon become Base Rate Loans and shall
thereafter bear interest payable upon demand at a rate which is 2% per annum in
excess of the interest rate otherwise payable under this Agreement for Base Rate
Loans.  Payment or acceptance of the increased rates of interest provided for in
this subsection 2.2E is not a permitted alternative to timely payment and shall
not constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or otherwise prejudice or limit
any rights or remedies of Agent or any Lender.

     F.   COMPUTATION OF INTEREST.  Interest on the Loans shall be computed (i)
in the case of Base Rate Loans, on the basis of a 365-day or 366-day year, as
the case may be, and (ii) in the case of LIBOR Rate Loans, on the basis of a
360-day year, in each case for the actual number of days elapsed in the period
during which it accrues.  In computing interest on any Loan, the date of the
making of such Loan or the first day of an Interest Period applicable to such
Loan or, with respect to a Base Rate Loan being converted from a LIBOR Rate
Loan, the date of conversion of such LIBOR Rate Loan to such Base Rate Loan, as
the case may be, shall be included, and the date of payment of such Loan or the
expiration date of an Interest Period applicable to such Loan or, with respect
to a Base Rate Loan being converted to a

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
LIBOR Rate Loan, the date of conversion of such Base Rate Loan to such LIBOR
Rate Loan, as the case may be, shall be excluded; provided that if a Loan is
                                                  --------                  
repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be paid on
that Loan.

2.3  FEES.
     ---- 

     A.   COMMITMENT FEES.  Company agrees to pay to Agent, for distribution to
each Lender in proportion to that Lender's Pro Rata Share, commitment fees for
the period from and including the Closing Date to and excluding the Commitment
Termination Date equal to the average of the daily excess of the Commitments
over the sum of (i) the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Loans plus
                                                                        ----
(ii) the Letter of Credit Usage, in each case multiplied by (a) 0.25% per annum
                                              -------------                    
if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is greater than or equal to 0.30 to 1.00, or
(b) .175% per annum if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 0.30 to
1.00, such commitment fees to be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year and
the actual number of days elapsed and to be payable quarterly in arrears on
March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31 of each year, commencing on the
first such date to occur after the Closing Date, and on the Loan Commitment
Termination Date.

     B.   ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEE.  Company agrees to pay to Agent an annual
administrative fee in the amount and at such times as are set forth in a
separate letter agreement between Agent and Company.

     C.   OTHER FEES.  Company agrees to pay to UBOC such other fees in the
amounts and at the times as are set forth in a separate letter agreement between
Company and UBOC.

2.4  PREPAYMENTS AND REDUCTIONS IN COMMITMENTS; GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
     PAYMENTS.
     -------- 

     A.   SCHEDULED REDUCTIONS OF COMMITMENTS.  The Commitments shall be
permanently reduced on the dates and in the amounts set forth below:

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
                                           Schedule Reduction
                     Date                   of Commitments
                     ----                  ------------------
                  <S>                      <C>
                  09/30/2000                     $4,062,500
                  12/31/2000                     $4,062,500
                  03/31/2001                     $4,062,500
                  06/30/2001                     $4,062,500
                  09/30/2001                     $4,062,500
                  12/31/2001                     $4,062,500
                  03/31/2002                     $4,062,500
                  06/30/2002                     $4,062,500
                  09/30/2002                     $4,062,500
                  12/31/2002                     $4,062,500
                  03/31/2003                     $4,062,500
                  06/30/2003                     $4,062,500
                  09/30/2003                     $4,062,500
                  12/31/2003                     $4,062,500
                  03/31/2004                     $4,062,500
                  06/30/2004                     $4,062,500
</TABLE>

     ; provided that the scheduled reductions of the Commitments set forth above
       --------                                                                 
     shall be reduced in connection with any voluntary or mandatory reductions
     of the Commitments in accordance with subsection 2.4B(iv).

     B.   PREPAYMENTS AND UNSCHEDULED REDUCTIONS IN COMMITMENTS.

          (i)   Voluntary Prepayments.  Company may, by written or telephonic 
                ---------------------                                        
     notice given on the date of prepayment, in the case of Base Rate Loans, and
     three Business Days' prior written or telephonic notice, in the case of
     LIBOR Rate Loans, in each case given to Agent by 9:00 A.M. (Los Angeles
     time) on the date required and, if given by telephone, promptly confirmed
     in writing to Agent (which original written or telephonic notice Agent will
     promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender), at any
     time and from time to time prepay any Loans on any Business Day in whole or
     in part in an aggregate minimum amount of $1,000,000 and integral multiples
     of $1,000,000 in excess of that amount; provided, however, that if a LIBOR
                                             --------  -------
     Rate Loan is prepaid on any date other than the expiration of the Interest
     Period applicable thereto, the Company shall pay any amounts due under
     subsection 2.6D. Notice of prepayment having been given as aforesaid, the
     principal amount of the Loans specified in such notice shall become due and
     payable on the prepayment date specified therein. Any such voluntary
     prepayment shall be applied as specified in subsection 2.4B(iv).

          (ii)  Voluntary Reductions of Commitments.  Company may, upon not 
                -----------------------------------       
     less than three Business Days' prior written or telephonic notice confirmed
     in

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
     writing to Agent (which original written or telephonic notice Agent will
     promptly transmit by telefacsimile or telephone to each Lender), at any
     time and from time to time terminate in whole or permanently reduce in
     part, without premium or penalty, the Commitments in an amount up to the
     amount by which the Commitments exceed the Total Utilization of Commitments
     at the time of such proposed termination or reduction; provided that any
                                                            --------
     such partial reduction of the Commitments shall be in an aggregate minimum
     amount of $5,000,000 and integral multiples of $1,000,000 in excess of that
     amount. Company's notice to Agent shall designate the date (which shall be
     a Business Day) of such termination or reduction and the amount of any
     partial reduction, and such termination or reduction of the Commitments
     shall be effective on the date specified in Company's notice and shall
     reduce the Commitment of each Lender proportionately to its Pro Rata Share.
     Any such voluntary reduction of the Commitments shall be applied as
     specified in subsection 2.4B(iv).

          (iii) Mandatory Prepayments and Mandatory Reductions of Commitments.
                ------------------------------------------------------------- 
     The Loans shall be prepaid, and the Commitments shall be permanently
     reduced, in the amounts and under the circumstances set forth below, all
     such prepayments and/or reductions to be applied as specified in subsection
     2.4B(iv):

                (a) Prepayments and Reductions From Net Asset Sale Proceeds.
                    -------------------------------------------------------     
          No later than the first Business Day following the date of receipt by
          Company or any of its Subsidiaries of any Net Asset Sale Proceeds in
          respect of any Asset Sale, Company shall prepay the Loans and the
          Commitments shall be permanently reduced in an aggregate amount equal
          to such Net Asset Sale Proceeds.

                (b) Prepayments and Reductions Due to Issuance of Debt
                    --------------------------------------------------
          Securities. On the date of receipt by Company or any of its
          Subsidiaries of the Cash proceeds (any such proceeds, net of
          underwriting discounts and commissions and other reasonable costs and
          expenses associated therewith, including reasonable legal fees and
          expenses, being "NET SECURITIES PROCEEDS") from the issuance of any
          debt Securities of Company or any of its Subsidiaries after the
          Closing Date (other than Indebtedness expressly permitted by
          subsection 7.1), Company shall prepay the Loans, and the Commitments
          shall be permanently reduced, in an aggregate amount equal to such Net
          Securities Proceeds.

                (c) Calculations of Net Proceeds Amounts; Additional 
                    ------------------------------------------------
          Prepayments and Reductions Based on Subsequent Calculations.  
          ----------------------------------------------------------- 
          Concurrently with any prepayment of the Loans and/or reduction of the
          Commitments pursuant to subsections 2.4B(iii)(a) or (b), Company shall

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
          deliver to Agent an Officers' Certificate demonstrating the
          calculation of the amount (the "NET PROCEEDS AMOUNT") of the
          applicable Net Asset Sale Proceeds or Net Securities Proceeds, as the
          case may be, that gave rise to such prepayment and/or reduction. In
          the event that Company shall subsequently determine that the actual
          Net Proceeds Amount was greater than the amount set forth in such
          Officers' Certificate, Company shall promptly make an additional
          prepayment of the Loans (and/or, if applicable, the Commitments shall
          be permanently reduced) in an amount equal to the amount of such
          excess, and Company shall concurrently therewith deliver to Agent an
          Officers' Certificate demonstrating the derivation of the additional
          Net Proceeds Amount resulting in such excess.

                (d) Prepayments Due to Reductions of Commitments.  Company shall
                    -------------------------------------------- 
          from time to time prepay the Loans to the extent necessary so that the
          Total Utilization of Commitments shall not at any time exceed the
          Commitments then in effect.

                (e) Reductions of Commitments Not Limited to Amount of Loans
                    --------------------------------------------------------
          Outstanding.  The amount of any required reduction of the Commitments
          -----------                                                          
          pursuant to any provision of this subsection 2.4B(iii) shall not be
          affected by the fact that the outstanding principal amount of Loans at
          the time of such reduction is less than the amount of such reduction.

     (iv) Application of Prepayments and Unscheduled Reductions of Commitments.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------- 

                (a) Application of Prepayments to Base Rate Loans and LIBOR Rate
                    ------------------------------------------------------------
          Loans.  Any prepayment of the Loans shall be applied first to Base 
         -----                                                                  
          Rate Loans to the full extent thereof before application to LIBOR Rate
          Loans, in each case in a manner which minimizes the amount of any
          payments required to be made by Company pursuant to subsection 2.6D.

                (b) Application of Unscheduled Reductions of Commitments.  Any
                    ----------------------------------------------------      
          voluntary reduction of the Commitments pursuant to subsection 2.4B(ii)
          shall be applied to reduce ratably the scheduled reductions of the
          Commitments set forth in subsection 2.4A. Any mandatory reduction of
          the Commitments pursuant to subsection 2.4B(iii) shall be applied to
          reduce the scheduled reductions of the commitments set forth in
          subsection 2.4A in inverse chronological order.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     C.   GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING PAYMENTS.

          (i)   Manner and Time of Payment.  All payments by Company of 
                --------------------------                           
     principal, interest, fees and other Obligations hereunder and under the
     Notes shall be made in Dollars in same day funds, without defense, setoff
     or counterclaim, free of any restriction or condition, and delivered to
     Agent not later than 9:00 AM (Los Angeles time) on the date due at the
     Funding and Payment Office for the account of Lenders; funds received by
     Agent after that time on such due date shall be deemed to have been paid by
     Company on the next succeeding Business Day. Unless Agent receives notice
     to the contrary from Company, Company hereby authorizes Agent to charge its
     accounts with Agent in order to cause timely payment to be made to Agent of
     all principal, interest, fees and expenses due hereunder (subject to
     sufficient funds being available in its accounts for that purpose).

          (ii)  Application of Payments to Principal and Interest.  All 
                -------------------------------------------------       
     payments in respect of the principal amount of any Loan shall include
     payment of accrued interest on the principal amount being repaid or
     prepaid, and all such payments (and, in any event, any payments in respect
     of any Loan on a date when interest is due and payable with respect to such
     Loan) shall be applied to the payment of interest before application to
     principal.

          (iii) Apportionment of Payments.  Aggregate principal and interest
                -------------------------                                   
     payments shall be apportioned among all outstanding Loans to which such
     payments relate, in each case proportionately to Lenders' respective Pro
     Rata Shares. Agent shall promptly distribute to each Lender, at its primary
     address set forth below its name on the appropriate signature page hereof
     or at such other address as such Lender may request, its Pro Rata Share of
     all such payments received by Agent and the commitment fees of such Lender
     when received by Agent pursuant to subsection 2.3. Notwithstanding the
     foregoing provisions of this subsection 2.4C(iii), if, pursuant to the
     provisions of subsection 2.6C, any Notice of Conversion/Continuation is
     withdrawn as to any Affected Lender or if any Affected Lender makes Base
     Rate Loans in lieu of its Pro Rata Share of any LIBOR Rate Loans, Agent
     shall give effect thereto in apportioning payments received thereafter.

          (iv)  Payments on Business Days.  Whenever any payment to be made 
                -------------------------      
     hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day that is not a Business Day,
     such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such
     extension of time shall be included in the computation of the payment of
     interest hereunder or of the commitment fees hereunder, as the case may be.

          (v)   Notation of Payment.  Each Lender agrees that before disposing 
                -------------------     
     of any Note held by it, or any part thereof (other than by granting

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
     participations therein), that Lender will make a notation thereon of all
     Loans evidenced by that Note and all principal payments previously made
     thereon and of the date to which interest thereon has been paid; provided
                                                                      --------
     that the failure to make (or any error in the making of) a notation of any
     Loan made under such Note shall not limit or otherwise affect the
     obligations of Company hereunder or under such Note with respect to any
     Loan or any payments of principal or interest on such Note.

2.5  USE OF PROCEEDS.
     --------------- 

     A.   LOANS.  The proceeds of the initial Loans, together with other funds
available to Company, shall be applied by Company to pay in full all Advances
(as defined in the Citicorp Loan Agreement) together with accrued interest
thereon.  Any excess proceeds of the initial Loans and the proceeds of any
subsequent Loans shall be applied by Company for general corporate purposes,
which may include the making of intercompany loans to any of Company's wholly-
owned Subsidiaries, as permitted by subsection 7.1(iv), for their own general
corporate purposes.

     B.   MARGIN REGULATIONS.  No portion of the proceeds of any borrowing under
this Agreement shall be used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any manner
that might cause the borrowing or the application of such proceeds to violate
Regulation G, Regulation U, Regulation T or Regulation X of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any other regulation of such Board or
to violate the Exchange Act, in each case as in effect on the date or dates of
such borrowing and such use of proceeds.

2.6  SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING LIBOR RATE LOANS.
     --------------------------------------------- 

          Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement to the contrary,
the following provisions shall govern with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans as to the
matters covered:

     A.   DETERMINATION OF APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE.  As soon as practicable
after 9:00 A.M. (Los Angeles time) on each Interest Rate Determination Date,
Agent shall determine (which determination shall, absent manifest error, be
final, conclusive and binding upon all parties) the interest rate that shall
apply to the LIBOR Rate Loans for which an interest rate is then being
determined for the applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice
thereof (in writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and each
Lender.

     B.   INABILITY TO DETERMINE APPLICABLE INTEREST RATE.  In the event that
Agent shall have determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive
and binding upon all parties hereto), on any Interest Rate Determination Date
with respect to any LIBOR Rate Loans, that by reason of circumstances affecting
the London interbank

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
market adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the interest rate
applicable to such Loans on the basis provided for in the definition of Adjusted
LIBOR Rate, Agent shall on such date give notice (by telefacsimile or by
telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and each Lender of such
determination, whereupon (i) no Loans may be made as, or converted to, LIBOR
Rate Loans until such time as Agent notifies Company and Lenders that the
circumstances giving rise to such notice no longer exist and (ii) any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by Company with respect to
the Loans in respect of which such determination was made shall be deemed to be
rescinded by Company.

     C.   ILLEGALITY OR IMPRACTICABILITY OF LIBOR RATE LOANS.  In the event that
on any date any Lender shall have determined (which determination shall be final
and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto but shall be made only after
consultation with Company and Agent) that the making, maintaining or
continuation of its LIBOR Rate Loans (i) has become unlawful as a result of
compliance by such Lender in good faith with any law, treaty, governmental rule,
regulation, guideline or order (or would conflict with any such treaty,
governmental rule, regulation, guideline or order not having the force of law
even though the failure to comply therewith would not be unlawful) or (ii) has
become impracticable, or would cause such Lender material hardship, as a result
of contingencies occurring after the date of this Agreement which materially and
adversely affect the London interbank LIBOR market or the position of such
Lender in that market, then, and in any such event, such Lender shall be an
"AFFECTED LENDER" and it shall on that day give notice (by telefacsimile or by
telephone confirmed in writing) to Company and Agent of such determination
(which notice Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).  Thereafter
(a) the obligation of the Affected Lender to make Loans as, or to convert Loans
to, LIBOR Rate Loans shall be suspended until such notice shall be withdrawn by
the Affected Lender, (b) to the extent such determination by the Affected Lender
relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by Company pursuant to a
Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of Conversion/Continuation, the Affected Lender
shall make such Loan as (or convert such Loan to, as the case may be) a Base
Rate Loan, (c) the Affected Lender's obligation to maintain its outstanding
LIBOR Rate Loans (the "AFFECTED LOANS") shall be terminated at the earlier to
occur of the expiration of the Interest Period then in effect with respect to
the Affected Loans or when required by law, and (d) the Affected Loans shall
automatically convert into Base Rate Loans on the date of such termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent a determination by an Affected
Lender as described above relates to a LIBOR Rate Loan then being requested by
Company pursuant to a Notice of Borrowing or a Notice of
Conversion/Continuation, Company shall have the option, subject to the
provisions of subsection 2.6D, to rescind such Notice of Borrowing or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation as to all Lenders by giving notice (by telefacsimile or
by telephone confirmed in writing) to Agent of such rescission on the date on
which the Affected Lender gives notice of its determination as described above
(which notice of rescission Agent shall promptly transmit to each other Lender).
Except as

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
provided in the immediately preceding sentence, nothing in this subsection 2.6C
shall affect the obligation of any Lender other than an Affected Lender to make
or maintain Loans as, or to convert Loans to, LIBOR Rate Loans in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement.

    D.   COMPENSATION FOR BREAKAGE OR NON-COMMENCEMENT OF INTEREST PERIODS.
Company shall compensate each Lender, upon written request by that Lender (which
request shall set forth the basis for requesting such amounts), for all
reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities (including any interest paid by that
Lender to lenders of funds borrowed by it to make or carry its LIBOR Rate Loans
and any loss, expense or liability sustained by that Lender in connection with
the liquidation or re-employment of such funds) which that Lender may sustain:
(i) if for any reason (other than a default by that Lender) a borrowing of any
LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor in a Notice of
Borrowing or a telephonic request for borrowing, or a conversion to or
continuation of any LIBOR Rate Loan does not occur on a date specified therefor
in a Notice of Conversion/Continuation or a telephonic request for conversion or
continuation, (ii) if any prepayment (including any prepayment pursuant to
subsection 2.4B(i)) or other principal payment or any conversion of any of its
LIBOR Rate Loans occurs on a date prior to the last day of an Interest Period
applicable to that Loan, (iii) if any prepayment of any of its LIBOR Rate Loans
is not made on any date specified in a notice of prepayment given by Company, or
(iv) as a consequence of any other default by Company in the repayment of its
LIBOR Rate Loans when required by the terms of this Agreement.

    E.   BOOKING OF LIBOR RATE LOANS.  Any Lender may make, carry or transfer
LIBOR Rate Loans at, to, or for the account of any of its branch offices or the
office of an Affiliate of that Lender.

    F.   ASSUMPTIONS CONCERNING FUNDING OF LIBOR RATE LOANS.  Calculation of all
amounts payable to a Lender under this subsection 2.6 and under subsection 2.7A
shall be made as though that Lender had actually funded each of its relevant
LIBOR Rate Loans through the purchase of a LIBOR deposit bearing interest at the
rate obtained pursuant to clause (i) of the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate in
an amount equal to the amount of such LIBOR Rate Loan and having a maturity
comparable to the relevant Interest Period and through the transfer of such
LIBOR deposit from an offshore office of that Lender to a domestic office of
that Lender in the United States of America; provided, however, that each Lender
                                             --------  -------                  
may fund each of its LIBOR Rate Loans in any manner it sees fit and the
foregoing assumptions shall be utilized only for the purposes of calculating
amounts payable under this subsection 2.6 and under subsection 2.7A.

    G.   LIBOR RATE LOANS AFTER DEFAULT.  After the occurrence of and during the
continuation of a Potential Event of Default or an Event of Default, (i) Company
may not elect to have a Loan be made or maintained as, or converted to, a LIBOR

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
Rate Loan after the expiration of any Interest Period then in effect for that
Loan and (ii) subject to the provisions of subsection 2.6D, any Notice of
Borrowing or Notice of Conversion/Continuation given by Company with respect to
a requested borrowing or conversion/continuation that has not yet occurred shall
be deemed to be rescinded by Company.

2.7 INCREASED COSTS; TAXES; CAPITAL ADEQUACY.
    ---------------------------------------- 

    A.   COMPENSATION FOR INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES.  Subject to the provisions
of subsection 2.7B (which shall be controlling with respect to the matters
covered thereby), in the event that any Lender shall determine (which
determination shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding
upon all parties hereto) that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation
or order, or any change therein or in the interpretation, administration or
application thereof (including the introduction of any new law, treaty or
governmental rule, regulation or order), or any determination of a court or
governmental authority, in each case that becomes effective after the date
hereof, or compliance by such Lender with any guideline, request or directive
issued or made after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental
or quasi-governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law): 

         (i)    subjects such Lender (or its applicable lending office) to any
    additional Tax (other than any Tax on the overall net income of such Lender)
    with respect to this Agreement or any of its obligations hereunder or any
    payments to such Lender (or its applicable lending office) of principal,
    interest, fees or any other amount payable hereunder;

         (ii)   imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
    marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
    deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement against
    assets held by, or deposits or other liabilities in or for the account of,
    or advances or loans by, or other credit extended by, or any other
    acquisition of funds by, any office of such Lender (other than any such
    reserve or other requirements with respect to LIBOR Rate Loans that are
    reflected in the definition of Adjusted LIBOR Rate); or

         (iii)  imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
    matter) on or affecting such Lender (or its applicable lending office) or
    its obligations hereunder or the London interbank market;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Lender of
agreeing to make, making or maintaining Loans hereunder or to reduce any amount
received or receivable by such Lender (or its applicable lending office) with
respect thereto; then, in any such case, Company shall promptly pay to such
Lender, upon

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such additional
amount or amounts (in the form of an increased rate of, or a different method of
calculating, interest or otherwise as such Lender in its sole discretion shall
determine) as may be necessary to compensate such Lender for any such increased
cost or reduction in amounts received or receivable hereunder.  Such Lender
shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Agent) a written statement, setting
forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating the additional amounts owed
to such Lender under this subsection 2.7A, which statement shall be conclusive
and binding upon all parties hereto absent manifest error.

    B.   WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.

         (i)   Payments to Be Free and Clear.  All sums payable by Company under
               -----------------------------                                    
    this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall (except to the extent
    required by law) be paid free and clear of, and without any deduction or
    withholding on account of, any Tax (other than a Tax on the overall net
    income of any Lender) imposed, levied, collected, withheld or assessed by or
    within the United States of America or any political subdivision in or of
    the United States of America or any other jurisdiction from which a payment
    is made by or on behalf of Company or by any federation or organization of
    which the United States of America or any such jurisdiction is a member at
    the time of payment.

         (ii)  Grossing-up of Payments.  If Company or any other Person is
               -----------------------                                    
    required by law to make any deduction or withholding on account of any such
    Tax from any sum paid or payable by Company to Agent or any Lender under any
    of the Loan Documents:

               (a) Company shall notify Agent of any such requirement or any
         change in any such requirement as soon as Company becomes aware of it;

               (b) Company shall pay any such Tax before the date on which
         penalties attach thereto, such payment to be made (if the liability to
         pay is imposed on Company) for its own account or (if that liability is
         imposed on Agent or such Lender, as the case may be) on behalf of and
         in the name of Agent or such Lender;

               (c) the sum payable by Company in respect of which the relevant
         deduction, withholding or payment is required shall be increased to the
         extent necessary to ensure that, after the making of that deduction,
         withholding or payment, Agent or such Lender, as the case may be,
         receives on the due date a net sum equal to what it would have

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
         received had no such deduction, withholding or payment been required or
         made; and

               (d)  within 30 days after paying any sum from which it is
         required by law to make any deduction or withholding, and within 30
         days after the due date of payment of any Tax which it is required by
         clause (b) above to pay, Company shall deliver to Agent evidence
         satisfactory to the other affected parties of such deduction,
         withholding or payment and of the remittance thereof to the relevant
         taxing or other authority;

    provided that no such additional amount shall be required to be paid to any
    --------                                                                   
    Lender under clause (c) above except to the extent that any change after the
    date hereof (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages
    hereof) or after the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such
    Lender became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender) in any such
    requirement for a deduction, withholding or payment as is mentioned therein
    shall result in an increase in the rate of such deduction, withholding or
    payment from that in effect at the date of this Agreement or at the date of
    such Assignment Agreement, as the case may be, in respect of payments to
    such Lender.

         (iii)   Evidence of Exemption from U.S. Withholding Tax.
                 ----------------------------------------------- 

                 (a) Each Lender that is organized under the laws of any
         jurisdiction other than the United States or any state or other
         political subdivision thereof (for purposes of this subsection
         2.7B(iii), a "NON-US LENDER") shall deliver to Agent for transmission
         to Company, on or prior to the Closing Date (in the case of each Lender
         listed on the signature pages hereof) or on or prior to the date of the
         Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it becomes a Lender (in the case
         of each other Lender), and at such other times as may be necessary in
         the determination of Company or Agent (each in the reasonable exercise
         of its discretion), (1) two original copies of Internal Revenue Service
         Form 1001 or 4224 (or any successor forms), properly completed and duly
         executed by such Lender, together with any other certificate or
         statement of exemption required under the Internal Revenue Code or the
         regulations issued thereunder to establish that such Lender is not
         subject to deduction or withholding of United States federal income tax
         with respect to any payments to such Lender of principal, interest,
         fees or other amounts payable under any of the Loan Documents or (2) if
         such Lender is not a "bank" or other Person described in Section
         881(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and cannot deliver either
         Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 pursuant to clause (1)
         above, a Certificate re Non-Bank Status together with two original

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
         copies of Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 (or any successor form),
         properly completed and duly executed by such Lender, together with any
         other certificate or statement of exemption required under the Internal
         Revenue Code or the regulations issued thereunder to establish that
         such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States
         federal income tax with respect to any payments to such Lender of
         interest payable under any of the Loan Documents.

                 (b) Each Lender required to deliver any forms, certificates or
         other evidence with respect to United States federal income tax
         withholding matters pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) hereby agrees,
         from time to time after the initial delivery by such Lender of such
         forms, certificates or other evidence, whenever a lapse in time or
         change in circumstances renders such forms, certificates or other
         evidence obsolete or inaccurate in any material respect, that such
         Lender shall promptly (1) deliver to Agent for transmission to Company
         two new original copies of Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224,
         or a Certificate re Non-Bank Status and two original copies of Internal
         Revenue Service Form W-8, as the case may be, properly completed and
         duly executed by such Lender, together with any other certificate or
         statement of exemption required in order to confirm or establish that
         such Lender is not subject to deduction or withholding of United States
         federal income tax with respect to payments to such Lender under the
         Loan Documents or (2) notify Agent and Company of its inability to
         deliver any such forms, certificates or other evidence.

                 (c) Company shall not be required to pay any additional amount
         to any Non-US Lender under clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) if such
         Lender shall have failed to satisfy the requirements of clause (a) or
         (b)(1) of this subsection 2.7B(iii); provided that if such Lender shall
                                              --------
         have satisfied the requirements of subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) on the
         Closing Date (in the case of each Lender listed on the signature pages
         hereof) or on the date of the Assignment Agreement pursuant to which it
         became a Lender (in the case of each other Lender), nothing in this
         subsection 2.7B(iii)(c) shall relieve Company of its obligation to pay
         any additional amounts pursuant to clause (c) of subsection 2.7B(ii) in
         the event that, as a result of any change in any applicable law, treaty
         or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change in the
         interpretation, administration or application thereof, such Lender is
         no longer properly entitled to deliver forms, certificates or other
         evidence at a subsequent date establishing the fact that such Lender is
         not subject to withholding as described in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a).

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
    C.   CAPITAL ADEQUACY ADJUSTMENT.  If any Lender shall have determined that
the adoption, effectiveness, phase-in or applicability after the date hereof of
any law, rule or regulation (or any provision thereof) regarding capital
adequacy, or any change therein or in the interpretation or administration
thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender
(or its applicable lending office) with any guideline, request or directive
regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
governmental authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any
corporation controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to,
such Lender's Loans or Commitment or Letters of Credit or participations therein
or other obligations hereunder with respect to the Loans or the Letters of
Credit to a level below that which such Lender or such controlling corporation
could have achieved but for such adoption, effectiveness, phase-in,
applicability, change or compliance (taking into consideration the policies of
such Lender or such controlling corporation with regard to capital adequacy),
then from time to time, within five Business Days after receipt by Company from
such Lender of the statement referred to in the next sentence, Company shall pay
to such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender
or such controlling corporation on an after-tax basis for such reduction. Such
Lender shall deliver to Company (with a copy to Agent) a written statement,
setting forth in reasonable detail the basis of the calculation of such
additional amounts, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all
parties hereto absent manifest error.

2.8 OBLIGATION OF LENDERS AND ISSUING LENDERS TO MITIGATE.
    ----------------------------------------------------- 

         Each Lender and Issuing Lender agrees that, as promptly as practicable
after the officer of such Lender or Issuing Lender responsible for administering
the Loans or Letters of Credit of such Lender or Issuing Lender, as the case may
be, becomes aware of the occurrence of an event or the existence of a condition
that would cause such Lender to become an Affected Lender or that would entitle
such Lender or Issuing Lender to receive payments under subsection 2.7 or
subsection 3.6, it will, to the extent not inconsistent with the internal
policies of such Lender or Issuing Lender and any applicable legal or regulatory
restrictions, use reasonable efforts (i) to make, issue, fund or maintain the
Commitment of such Lender or the affected Loans or Letters of Credit of such
Lender or Issuing Lender through another lending or letter of credit office of
such Lender or Issuing Lender, or (ii) take such other measures as such Lender
or Issuing Lender may deem reasonable, if as a result thereof the circumstances
which would cause such Lender to be an Affected Lender would cease to exist or
the additional amounts which would otherwise be required to be paid to such
Lender or Issuing Lender pursuant to subsection 2.7 or subsection 3.6 would be
materially reduced and if, as determined by such Lender or Issuing Lender in its
sole discretion, the making, issuing, funding or maintaining of such Commitment

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
or Loans or Letters of Credit through such other lending or letter of credit
office or in accordance with such other measures, as the case may be, would not
otherwise materially adversely affect such Commitment or Loans or Letters of
Credit or the interests of such Lender or Issuing Lender; provided that such
                                                          --------          
Lender or Issuing Lender will not be obligated to utilize such other lending or
letter of credit office pursuant to this subsection 2.8 unless Company agrees to
pay all incremental expenses incurred by such Lender or Issuing Lender as a
result of utilizing such other lending or letter of credit office as described
in clause (i) above.  A certificate as to the amount of any such expenses
payable by Company pursuant to this subsection 2.8 (setting forth in reasonable
detail the basis for requesting such amount) submitted by such Lender or Issuing
Lender to Company (with a copy to Agent) shall be conclusive absent manifest
error.

2.9 SUBSTITUTION OF LENDERS.
    ----------------------- 

         If any Lender becomes an Affected Lender under subsection 2.6C or if
any Lender requests compensation from Company under subsection 2.7, Company
shall have the right, with the assistance of Agent, to seek one or more Eligible
Assignees (which may be one or more of the Lenders) satisfactory to Agent and
Company to purchase the Loans and assume the Commitment of such Lender, and
Company, Agent, such Lender, and such Eligible Assignees shall execute and
deliver an appropriately completed Assignment Agreement pursuant to subsection
10.1B hereof to effect the assignment of rights to and the assumption of
obligations by such Eligible Assignees; provided that (i) such requesting Lender
                                        --------                                
shall be entitled to compensation under subsection 2.7 for any costs incurred by
or otherwise due to it prior to its replacement, (ii) no Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, (iii) Company has
satisfied all of its obligations under the Loan Documents relating to such
Lender, including without limitation obligations, if any, under subsection 2.7,
and (iv) Company shall have paid Agent a $2,500 processing and recordation fee.


SECTION 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT

3.1 ISSUANCE OF LETTERS OF CREDIT AND LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    THEREIN.
    ------- 

    A.   LETTERS OF CREDIT.  In addition to Company requesting that Lenders make
Loans pursuant to subsection 2.1A, Company may request, in accordance with the
provisions of this subsection 3.1, from time to time during the period from the
Closing Date to but excluding the Commitment Termination Date, that Issuing
Lender issue Letters of Credit for the account of Company for the purposes
specified in the definitions of Commercial Letters of Credit and Standby Letters
of Credit provided that one or more Standby Letters of Credit in form
          --------                                                   
satisfactory to the Issuing Lender may be issued on the Closing Date as one or
more Standby Letters of

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
Credit supporting the Existing Letters of Credit.  Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and in reliance upon the representations and
warranties of Company herein set forth, the Issuing Lender may, but (except as
provided in subsection 3.1B(ii)) shall not be obligated to, issue such Letters
of Credit in accordance with the provisions of this subsection 3.1; provided
                                                                    --------
that Company shall not request that any Lender issue (and the Issuing Lender
shall not issue):

         (i)    any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
    the Total Utilization of Commitments would exceed the Commitments then in
    effect;

         (ii)   any Letter of Credit if, after giving effect to such issuance,
    the Letter of Credit Usage would exceed $20,000,000;

         (iii)  any Letter of Credit denominated in a currency other than
    Dollars; provided that Letters of Credit may be issued in currencies other
             --------
    than Dollars that are freely convertible into Dollars and otherwise
    acceptable t o the Issuing Bank, provided, further that the aggregate
                                     --------  -------                   
    outstanding amount of all such Letters of Credit denominated in a currency
    other than Dollars shall not exceed at any time the equivalent, at the
    Exchange Rate, of $2,000,000;

         (iv)   any Standby Letter of Credit having an expiration date later
    than the earlier of (a) the Commitment Termination Date and (b) the date
    which is two years from the date of issuance of such Standby Letter of
    Credit; provided that the immediately preceding clause (b) shall not prevent
    any Issuing Lender from agreeing that a Standby Letter of Credit will
    automatically be extended for one or more successive periods not to exceed
    one year each unless such Issuing Lender elects not to extend for any such
    additional period; and provided, further that such Issuing Lender shall,
                           --------  -------     
    (unless Requisite Lenders otherwise agree), elect not to extend such Standby
    Letter of Credit if it has knowledge that an Event of Default has occurred
    and is continuing (and has not been waived in accordance with subsection
    10.6) at the time such Issuing Lender must elect whether or not to allow
    such extension; and

         (v)    any Commercial Letter of Credit having an expiration date (a)
    later than the earlier of (x) the date which is 30 days prior to the
    Commitment Termination Date and (y) the date which is 180 days from the date
    of issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit or (b) that is otherwise
    unacceptable to the applicable Issuing Lender in its reasonable discretion.

    Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to, and performance by Issuing
Lender, Issuing Lender's correspondents and the beneficiary under such Letter of
Credit shall be governed by, the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary
Credits, 1993 Revision, ICC Publication No. 500, or such subsequent revision
thereof, adopted by

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
the International Chamber of Commerce, as is in effect on the date the letter of
Credit is issued.

    B.   MECHANICS OF ISSUANCE.

         (i)  Notice of Issuance.  Whenever Company desires the issuance of a
              ------------------                                             
    Letter of Credit, it shall deliver to Agent a Notice of Issuance of Letter
    of Credit substantially in the form of Exhibit III annexed hereto (including
                                           -----------                          
    the Issuing Lender's standard application for a Letter of Credit and the
    signature page to such application, it being understood that unless
    otherwise agreed between Company and the Issuing Lender, the provisions set
    forth on the reverse side of such standard application (or comparable
    provisions in a future standard application) shall not be applicable) no
    later than 9:00 A.M. (Los Angeles time) at least five Business Days (in the
    case of Standby Letters of Credit) or five Business Days (in the case of
    Commercial Letters of Credit), or in each case such shorter period as may be
    agreed to by the Issuing Lender in any particular instance, in advance of
    the proposed date of issuance.  The Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit
    shall specify (a) the proposed date of issuance (which shall be a Business
    Day), (b) whether the Letter of Credit is to be a Standby Letter of Credit
    or a Commercial Letter of Credit, (c) the face amount of the Letter of
    Credit, (d) in the case of a Letter of Credit which Company requests to be
    denominated in a currency other than Dollars, the currency in which Company
    requests such Letter of Credit to be issued, (e) the expiration date of the
    Letter of Credit, (f) the name and address of the beneficiary, and (g)
    either the verbatim text of the proposed Letter of Credit or the proposed
    terms and conditions thereof, including a precise description of any
    documents to be presented by the beneficiary which, if presented by the
    beneficiary prior to the expiration date of the Letter of Credit, would
    require the Issuing Lender to make payment under the Letter of Credit;
    provided that the Issuing Lender, in its reasonable discretion, may require
    --------                                                                   
    changes in the text of the proposed Letter of Credit or any such documents.
    No Standby Letter of Credit shall require payment against a conforming draft
    to be made thereunder on a date earlier than (x) one Business Day after the
    date on which such draft is presented if such presentation is made before
    9:00 A.M. (in the time zone of the Issuing Lender), or (y) two Business Days
    after the date on which such draft is presented if such presentation is made
    after 9:00 A.M. (in the time zone of the Issuing Lender).  No Commercial
    Letter of Credit shall require payment against a conforming draft to be made
    thereunder on a date earlier than (x) three Business Days after the date on
    which such draft is presented if such presentation is made before 9:00 A.M.
    (in the time zone of the Issuing Lender), or (y) four Business Days after
    the date on which such draft is presented if such presentation is made after
    9:00 A.M. (in the time zone of the Issuing Lender).

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
              Company shall notify the Issuing Lender prior to the issuance of
    any Letter of Credit in the event that any of the matters to which Company
    is required to certify in the applicable Notice of Issuance of Letter of
    Credit is no longer true and correct as of the proposed date of issuance of
    such Letter of Credit, and upon the issuance of any Letter of Credit Company
    shall be deemed to have re-certified, as of the date of such issuance, as to
    the matters to which Company is required to certify in the applicable Notice
    of Issuance of Letter of Credit.

         (ii)   Issuance of Letter of Credit.  Upon satisfaction or waiver (in
                ----------------------------                                  
    accordance with subsection 10.6) of the conditions set forth in subsection
    4.3, the Issuing Lender shall issue the requested Letter of Credit in
    accordance with the Issuing Lender's standard operating procedures.

         (iii)  Notification to Lenders.  Upon the issuance of any Letter of
                -----------------------                                     
    Credit the applicable Issuing Lender shall promptly notify Agent and each
    other Lender of such issuance, which notice shall be accompanied by a copy
    of such Letter of Credit.  Promptly after receipt of such notice (or, if
    Agent is the Issuing Lender, together with such notice), Agent shall notify
    each Lender of the amount of such Lender's respective participation in such
    Letter of Credit, determined in accordance with subsection 3.1C.

    C.   LENDERS' PURCHASE OF PARTICIPATIONS IN LETTERS OF CREDIT.  Immediately
upon the issuance of each Letter of Credit, each Lender shall be deemed to, and
hereby agrees to, have irrevocably purchased from the Issuing Lender a
participation in such Letter of Credit and any drawings honored thereunder in an
amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata Share of the maximum amount which is or
at any time may become available to be drawn thereunder.

3.2 LETTER OF CREDIT FEES.
    --------------------- 

         Company agrees to pay the following amounts with respect to Letters of
Credit issued hereunder:

         (i)   with respect to each Standby Letter of Credit, (a) a fronting
    fee, payable directly to the applicable Issuing Lender for its own account,
    equal to the greater of (x) $350 and (y) 0.25% per annum of the daily amount
    available to be drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit and (b) a letter
    of credit fee, payable to Agent for the account of Lenders, equal to the
    Applicable LIBOR Rate Margin per annum of the daily amount available to be
    drawn under such Standby Letter of Credit, each such fronting fee or letter
    of credit fee to be payable in arrears on and to (but excluding) each March
    31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year and computed on the
    basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed;

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)    with respect to each Commercial Letter of Credit, (a) an
    issuance fee in an amount equal to one-eighth of one percent (1/8 of 1%) of
    the face amount of such Commercial Letter of Credit, with the minimum
    issuance fee being an amount in accordance with the Issuing Lender's
    standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of such issuance,
    payable to Issuing Lender for its own account, or, with respect to any
    Commercial Letter of Credit in an amount of $250,000 or more, for the
    account of Lenders, upon the issuance of such Commercial Letter of Credit,
    (b) in the case of a sight draft presented to Issuing Lender, a negotiation
    commission in an amount equal to one-eighth of one percent (1/8 of 1%) of
    the face amount of such draft, with the minimum such commission being an
    amount in accordance with the Issuing Lender's standard schedule for such
    charges in effect at the time of such presentation, payable to Issuing
    Lender for its own account, or, with respect to any Commercial Letter of
    Credit in an amount of $250,000 or more, for the account of Lenders, upon
    the giving of notice by the Issuing Lender to Company that Issuing Lender
    has paid such draft, and (c) in the case of any amendment requested by
    Company with respect to an outstanding Commercial Letter of Credit (other
    than an amendment that increases the face amount of such outstanding
    Commercial Letter of Credit, the fee with respect to which shall be computed
    in the same manner as an issuance fee under clause (a) above with respect to
    such incremental amount, with the minimum fee being an amount in accordance
    with the Issuing Lender's standard schedule for such charges in effect at
    the time of such amendment), an amendment fee in an amount in accordance
    with the Issuing Lender's standard schedule for such charges in effect at
    the time of such amendment, payable to Issuing Lender for its own account
    upon the issuance of such amendment; and

         (iii)   with respect to the issuance, amendment or transfer of each
    Letter of Credit and each payment of a drawing made thereunder (without
    duplication of the fees payable under clauses (i) and (ii) above),
    documentary and processing charges payable directly to the applicable
    Issuing Lender for its own account in accordance with such Issuing Lender's
    standard schedule for such charges in effect at the time of such issuance,
    amendment, transfer or payment, as the case may be.

For purposes of calculating any fees payable under clauses (i) and (ii) of this
subsection 3.2, (1) the daily amount available to be drawn under any Letter of
Credit shall be determined as of the close of business on any date of
determination and (2) any amount described in such clauses which is denominated
in a currency other than Dollars shall be valued based on the applicable
Exchange Rate for such currency as of the applicable date of determination.
Promptly upon receipt by Agent of any amount described in clause (i)(b) or
(ii)(b) of this subsection 3.2, Agent shall distribute to each Lender its Pro
Rata Share of such amount.

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
3.3 DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENT OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------ 

    A.   RESPONSIBILITY OF ISSUING LENDER WITH RESPECT TO DRAWINGS.  In
determining whether to honor any drawing under any Letter of Credit by the
beneficiary thereof, the Issuing Lender shall be responsible only to examine the
documents delivered under such Letter of Credit with reasonable care so as to
ascertain whether they appear on their face to be in accordance with the terms
and conditions of such Letter of Credit.

    B.   REIMBURSEMENT BY COMPANY OF AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.  In
the event an Issuing Lender has determined to honor a drawing under a Letter of
Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall immediately notify Company and
Agent, and Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender on or before the Business
Day immediately following the date on which such drawing is honored (the
"REIMBURSEMENT DATE") in an amount in Dollars (which amount, in the case of a
drawing under a Letter of Credit which is denominated in a currency other than
Dollars, shall be calculated by reference to the applicable Exchange Rate) and
in same day funds equal to the amount of such honored drawing; provided that,
                                                               --------      
anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, (i) unless
Company shall have notified Agent and such Issuing Lender prior to 9:00 A.M.
(Los Angeles time) on the date such drawing is honored that Company intends to
reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of such honored drawing with funds
other than the proceeds of Loans, Company shall be deemed to have given a timely
Notice of Borrowing to Agent requesting Lenders to make Loans that are Base Rate
Loans on the Reimbursement Date in an amount in Dollars (which amount, in the
case of a drawing under a Letter of Credit which is denominated in a currency
other than Dollars, shall be calculated by reference to the applicable Exchange
Rate) equal to the amount of such honored drawing and (ii) subject to
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions specified in subsection 4.2B, Lenders
shall, on the Reimbursement Date, make Loans that are Base Rate Loans in the
amount of such honored drawing, the proceeds of which shall be applied directly
by Agent to reimburse such Issuing Lender for the amount of such honored
drawing; and provided, further that if for any reason proceeds of Loans are not
             --------  -------                                                 
received by such Issuing Lender on the Reimbursement Date in an amount equal to
the amount of such honored drawing, Company shall reimburse such Issuing Lender,
on demand, in an amount in same day funds equal to the excess of the amount of
such honored drawing over the aggregate amount of such Loans, if any, which are
so received.  Nothing in this subsection 3.3B shall be deemed to relieve any
Lender from its obligation to make Loans on the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement, and Company shall retain any and all rights it may have
against any Lender resulting from the failure of such Lender to make such Loans
under this subsection 3.3B.

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
    C.   PAYMENT BY LENDERS OF UNREIMBURSED AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF
CREDIT.

         (i)   Payment by Lenders.  In the event that Company shall fail for any
               ------------------                                               
    reason to reimburse any Issuing Lender as provided in subsection 3.3B in an
    amount (calculated, in the case of a drawing under a Letter of Credit
    denominated in a currency other than Dollars, by reference to the applicable
    Exchange Rate) equal to the amount of any drawing honored by such Issuing
    Lender under a Letter of Credit issued by it, such Issuing Lender shall
    promptly notify each other Lender of the unreimbursed amount of such honored
    drawing and of such other Lender's respective participation therein based on
    such Lender's Pro Rata Share.  Each Lender shall make available to such
    Issuing Lender an amount equal to its respective participation, in Dollars
    and in same day funds, at the office of such Issuing Lender specified in
    such notice, not later than 12:00 Noon (Los Angeles time) on the first
    business day (under the laws of the jurisdiction in which such office of
    such Issuing Lender is located) after the date notified by such Issuing
    Lender.  In the event that any Lender fails to make available to such
    Issuing Lender on such business day the amount of such Lender's
    participation in such Letter of Credit as provided in this subsection 3.3C,
    such Issuing Lender shall be entitled to recover such amount on demand from
    such Lender together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Effective
    Rate for three Business Days and thereafter at the Base Rate.  Nothing in
    this subsection 3.3C shall be deemed to prejudice the right of any Lender to
    recover from any Issuing Lender any amounts made available by such Lender to
    such Issuing Lender pursuant to this subsection 3.3C in the event that it is
    determined by the final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction that
    the payment with respect to a Letter of Credit by such Issuing Lender in
    respect of which payment was made by such Lender constituted gross
    negligence or willful misconduct on the part of such Issuing Lender.

         (ii)  Distribution to Lenders of Reimbursements Received From Company.
               ---------------------------------------------------------------  
    In the event any Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by other Lenders
    pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion of any drawing honored
    by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit issued by it, such Issuing
    Lender shall distribute to each other Lender which has paid all amounts
    payable by it under subsection 3.3C(i) with respect to such honored drawing
    such other Lender's Pro Rata Share of all payments subsequently received by
    such Issuing Lender from Company in reimbursement of such honored drawing
    when such payments are received.  Any such distribution shall be made to a
    Lender at its primary address set forth below its name on the appropriate
    signature page hereof or at such other address as such Lender may request.
    Until the Issuing Lender has been reimbursed by Company for a drawing
    honored by such Issuing Lender under a Letter of Credit issued by it,

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
    such Issuing Lender shall retain all rights and remedies provided therein
    and by applicable law with respect to such Letter of Credit.

    D.   INTEREST ON AMOUNTS PAID UNDER LETTERS OF CREDIT.

         (i)  Payment of Interest by Company.  Company agrees to pay to each
              ------------------------------                                
    Issuing Lender, with respect to drawings honored under any Letters of Credit
    issued by it, interest on the amount paid by such Issuing Lender in respect
    of each such honored drawing from the date such drawing is honored to but
    excluding the date such amount is reimbursed by Company (including any such
    reimbursement out of the proceeds of Loans pursuant to subsection 3.3B) at a
    rate equal to (a) for the period from the date such drawing is honored to
    but excluding the Reimbursement Date, the rate then in effect under this
    Agreement with respect to Loans that are Base Rate Loans and (b) thereafter,
    a rate which is 2% per annum in excess of the rate of interest otherwise
    payable under this Agreement with respect to Loans that are Base Rate Loans.
    Interest payable pursuant to this subsection 3.3D(i) shall be computed on
    the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed in the
    period during which it accrues and shall be payable on demand or, if no
    demand is made, on the date on which the related drawing under a Letter of
    Credit is reimbursed in full.

         (ii) Distribution of Interest Payments by Issuing Lender.  Promptly
              ---------------------------------------------------           
    upon receipt by any Issuing Lender of any payment of interest pursuant to
    subsection 3.3D(i) with respect to a drawing honored under a Letter of
    Credit issued by it, (a) such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other
    Lender, out of the interest received by such Issuing Lender in respect of
    the period from the date such drawing is honored to but excluding the date
    on which such Issuing Lender is reimbursed for the amount of such drawing
    (including any such reimbursement out of the proceeds of Loans pursuant to
    subsection 3.3B), the amount that such other Lender would have been entitled
    to receive in respect of the letter of credit fee that would have been
    payable in respect of such Letter of Credit for such period pursuant to
    subsection 3.2 if no drawing had been honored under such Letter of Credit,
    and (b) in the event such Issuing Lender shall have been reimbursed by other
    Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3C(i) for all or any portion of such
    honored drawing, such Issuing Lender shall distribute to each other Lender
    which has paid all amounts payable by it under subsection 3.3C(i) with
    respect to such honored drawing such other Lender's Pro Rata Share of any
    interest received by such Issuing Lender in respect of that portion of such
    honored drawing so reimbursed by other Lenders for the period from the date
    on which such Issuing Lender was so reimbursed by other Lenders to but
    excluding the date on which such portion of such honored drawing is
    reimbursed by Company.  Any such distribution shall be made to a Lender at
    its primary address set forth below its

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
    name on the appropriate signature page hereof or at such other address as
    such Lender may request.

3.4 OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE.
    -------------------- 

         The obligation of Company to reimburse each Issuing Lender for drawings
honored under the Letters of Credit issued by it and to repay any Loans made by
Lenders pursuant to subsection 3.3B and the obligations of Lenders under
subsection 3.3C(i) shall be unconditional and irrevocable and shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances
including any of the following circumstances:

       (i)    any lack of validity or enforceability of any Letter of Credit;

       (ii)   the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other right which
    Company or any Lender may have at any time against a beneficiary or any
    transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons for whom any such
    transferee may be acting), any Issuing Lender or other Lender or any other
    Person or, in the case of a Lender, against Company, whether in connection
    with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated herein or any unrelated
    transaction (including any underlying transaction between Company or one of
    its Subsidiaries and the beneficiary for which any Letter of Credit was
    procured);

       (iii)  any draft or other document presented under any Letter of Credit
    proving to be forged, fraudulent, invalid or insufficient in any respect or
    any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

       (iv)   payment by the Issuing Lender under any Letter of Credit against
    presentation of a draft or other document which does not comply with the
    terms of such Letter of Credit;

       (v)    any adverse change in the business, operations, properties,
    assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company or any of
    its Subsidiaries;

       (vi)   any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by any
    party thereto;

       (vii)  any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not
    similar to any of the foregoing; or

       (viii) the fact that an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
    Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
provided, in each case, that payment by the applicable Issuing Lender under the
- --------                                                                       
applicable Letter of Credit shall not have constituted gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Issuing Lender under the circumstances in question
(as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

3.5 INDEMNIFICATION; NATURE OF ISSUING LENDERS' DUTIES.
    -------------------------------------------------- 

    A.   INDEMNIFICATION.  In addition to amounts payable as provided in
subsection 3.6, Company hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save
harmless each Issuing Lender from and against any and all claims, demands,
liabilities, damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable
fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal
counsel) which such Issuing Lender may incur or be subject to as a consequence,
direct or indirect, of (i) the issuance of any Letter of Credit by such Issuing
Lender, other than as a result of (a) the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of such Issuing Lender as determined by a final judgment of a court of competent
jurisdiction or (b)(i) subject to the following clause (ii), the wrongful
dishonor by such Issuing Lender of a proper demand for payment made under any
Letter of Credit issued by it or (ii) the failure of such Issuing Lender to
honor a drawing under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any act or
omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de
facto government or governmental authority (all such acts or omissions herein
called "GOVERNMENTAL ACTS").

    B.   NATURE OF ISSUING LENDER'S DUTIES.  As between Company and any Issuing
Lender, Company assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the
Letters of Credit issued by such Issuing Lender by, the respective beneficiaries
of such Letters of Credit.  In furtherance and not in limitation of the
foregoing, such Issuing Lender shall not be responsible for:  (i) the form,
validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any document
submitted by any party in connection with the application for and issuance of
any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or all
respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged; (ii) the
validity or sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or
purporting to transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or
benefits thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to
be invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit to comply fully with any conditions required in order
to draw upon such Letter of Credit, provided that payment of such drawing by the
                                    --------                                    
Issuing Lender does not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct by the
Issuing Lender; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in transmission
or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or otherwise,
whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of technical
terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any document
required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or of the
proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such Letter
of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
such Letter of Credit; or (viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the
control of such Issuing Lender, including any Governmental Acts, and none of the
above shall affect or impair, or prevent the vesting of, any of such Issuing
Lender's rights or powers hereunder.

         In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of the specific
provisions set forth in the first paragraph of this subsection 3.5B, any action
taken or omitted by any Issuing Lender under or in connection with the Letters
of Credit issued by it or any documents and certificates delivered thereunder,
if taken or omitted in good faith, shall not put such Issuing Lender under any
resulting liability to Company.

         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this subsection
3.5, Company shall retain any and all rights it may have against any Issuing
Lender for any liability arising solely out of the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of such Issuing Lender, as determined by a final judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.

3.6 INCREASED COSTS AND TAXES RELATING TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
    ------------------------------------------------------- 

         Subject to the provisions of subsection 2.7B (which shall be
controlling with respect to the matters covered thereby), in the event that any
Issuing Lender or Lender shall determine (which determination shall, absent
manifest error, be final and conclusive and binding upon all parties hereto)
that any law, treaty or governmental rule, regulation or order, or any change
therein or in the interpretation, administration or application thereof
(including the introduction of any new law, treaty or governmental rule,
regulation or order), or any determination of a court or governmental authority,
in each case that becomes effective after the date hereof, or compliance by any
Issuing Lender or Lender with any guideline, request or directive issued or made
after the date hereof by any central bank or other governmental or quasi-
governmental authority (whether or not having the force of law):

         (i)  subjects such Issuing Lender or Lender (or its applicable lending
    or letter of credit office) to any additional Tax (other than any Tax on the
    overall net income of such Issuing Lender or Lender) with respect to the
    issuing or maintaining of any Letters of Credit or the purchasing or
    maintaining of any participations therein or any other obligations under
    this Section 3, whether directly or by such being imposed on or suffered by
    any particular Issuing Lender;

         (ii) imposes, modifies or holds applicable any reserve (including any
    marginal, emergency, supplemental, special or other reserve), special
    deposit, compulsory loan, FDIC insurance or similar requirement in respect
    of any

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
    Letters of Credit issued by any Issuing Lender or participations therein
    purchased by any Lender; or

         (iii)  imposes any other condition (other than with respect to a Tax
    matter) on or affecting such Issuing Lender or Lender (or its applicable
    lending or letter of credit office) regarding this Section 3 or any Letter
    of Credit or any participation therein;

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to such Issuing
Lender or Lender of agreeing to issue, issuing or maintaining any Letter of
Credit or agreeing to purchase, purchasing or maintaining any participation
therein or to reduce any amount received or receivable by such Issuing Lender or
Lender (or its applicable lending or letter of credit office) with respect
thereto; then, in any case, Company shall promptly pay to such Issuing Lender or
Lender, upon receipt of the statement referred to in the next sentence, such
additional amount or amounts as may be necessary to compensate such Issuing
Lender or Lender for any such increased cost or reduction in amounts received or
receivable hereunder.  Such Issuing Lender or Lender shall deliver to Company a
written statement, setting forth in reasonable detail the basis for calculating
the additional amounts owed to such Issuing Lender or Lender under this
subsection 3.6, which statement shall be conclusive and binding upon all parties
hereto absent manifest error.


SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         The obligations of Lenders to make Loans and the issuance of Letters of
Credit hereunder are subject to the satisfaction of the following conditions.

4.1 CONDITIONS TO INITIAL LOANS.
    --------------------------- 

         The obligations of Lenders to make any Loans to be made on the Closing
Date are, in addition to the conditions precedent specified in subsection 4.2,
subject to prior or concurrent satisfaction of the following conditions:

    A.   COMPANY DOCUMENTS.  On or before the Closing Date, Company shall
deliver or cause to be delivered to Lenders (or to Agent for Lenders with
sufficient originally executed copies, where appropriate, for each Lender and
its counsel) the following, each, unless otherwise noted, dated the Closing
Date:

         (i)  Certified copies of its Articles of Incorporation, together with a
    good standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the State of
    California and each other state in which it is qualified as a foreign
    corporation to do business and, to the extent generally available, a
    certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any
    applicable franchise or similar taxes

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
    from the appropriate taxing authority of each of such states, each dated a
    recent date prior to the Closing Date;

         (ii)   Copies of its Bylaws, certified as of the Closing Date by its
    corporate secretary or an assistant secretary;

         (iii)  Resolutions of its Board of Directors approving and authorizing
    the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
    Documents, certified as of the Closing Date by its corporate secretary or an
    assistant secretary as being in full force and effect without modification
    or amendment;

         (iv)   Signature and incumbency certificates of its officers executing
    this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

         (v)    Executed originals of this Agreement, the Notes (duly executed
    in accordance with subsection 2.1E, payable to each Lender and with
    appropriate insertions), the Collateral Account Agreement, the Subordination
    Agreements and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party; and

         (vi)   Such other documents as Agent may reasonably request.

    B.   SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR DOCUMENTS.  On or before the Closing Date, each
Subsidiary Guarantor shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Lenders (or to
Agent for Lenders with sufficient originally executed copies, where appropriate,
for each Lender and its counsel) the following, each, unless otherwise noted,
dated the Closing Date:

         (i)    (1) With respect to each Subsidiary Guarantor which is a
    Domestic Subsidiary, certified copies of its Certificate or Articles of
    Incorporation, together with a good standing certificate from the Secretary
    of State of the State of its incorporation and each other state in which it
    owns material assets or conducts material business and, to the extent
    generally available, a certificate or other evidence of good standing as to
    payment of any applicable franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate
    taxing authority of each of such states, each dated a recent date prior to
    the Closing Date and (2) with respect to each Subsidiary Guarantor which is
    not a Domestic Subsidiary, copies of its Certificate or Articles of
    Incorporation or other comparable charter documents, certified as of the
    Closing Date by its corporate secretary, an assistant secretary or other
    authorized signatory;

         (ii)   Copy of its Bylaws, if any, certified as of the Closing Date by
    its corporate secretary, an assistant secretary or other authorized
    signatory;

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
         (iii)  Resolutions of its Board of Directors approving and authorizing
    the execution, delivery and performance of the Subsidiary Guaranty and the
    Subordination Agreement executed by such Subsidiary Guarantor, certified as
    of the Closing Date by its corporate secretary, an assistant secretary or
    other authorized signatory as being in full force and effect without
    modification or amendment;

         (iv)   Signature and incumbency certificates of its officers or other
    authorized signatories executing the Subsidiary Guaranty and the
    Subordination Agreement executed and delivered by such Subsidiary Guarantor;

         (v)    Executed originals of the Subsidiary Guaranty and the
    Subordination Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party;
    and

         (vi)   Such other documents as Agent may reasonably request.

         Company, Agent and Lenders hereby agree that Subsidiary Guaranties and
    Subordination Agreements shall be executed and delivered pursuant to this
    subsection 4.1B by all Subsidiaries of Company that are party to the
    Guaranties and the Subordination Agreements delivered pursuant to the
    Citicorp Loan Agreement; provided that if holders of 100% of the outstanding
    principal amount of the Senior Notes shall have executed and delivered the
    Senior Note Waiver on or prior to the Closing Date then Subsidiary
    Guaranties and Subsidiary Subordination Agreements shall be executed and
    delivered by the Domestic Subsidiaries of Company (other than Non-Material
    Domestic Subsidiaries).

    C.   NO MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT.  Since December 31, 1996, no Material
Adverse Effect (in the sole opinion of Agent) shall have occurred.

    D.   OPINIONS OF COMPANY'S COUNSEL.  Lenders and their respective counsel
shall have received (i) originally executed copies of one or more favorable
written opinions of Pircher, Nichols & Meeks, counsel for Company, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, dated as of the
Closing Date and setting forth substantially the matters in the opinions
designated in Exhibit VI annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Agent
              ----------                                                     
acting on behalf of Lenders may reasonably request and (ii) evidence
satisfactory to Agent that Company has requested such counsel to deliver such
opinions to Lenders.

    E.   OPINIONS OF AGENT'S COUNSEL.  Lenders shall have received originally
executed copies of one or more favorable written opinions of O'Melveny & Myers
LLP, counsel to Agent, dated as of the Closing Date, substantially in the form
of

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
Exhibit VII annexed hereto and as to such other matters as Agent acting on
- -----------                                                               
behalf of Lenders may reasonably request.

    F.   OTHER DOCUMENTS.  Agent shall have received a certified copy of the
Citicorp Loan Agreement and the Senior Note Agreement.

    G.   FEES.  Company shall have paid to Agent, for distribution (as
appropriate) to Agent, UBOC and the other Lenders, the fees payable on the
Closing Date referred to in subsection 2.3.

    H.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS.  Company
shall have delivered to Agent an Officers' Certificate, in form and substance
satisfactory to Agent, to the effect that the representations and warranties in
Section 5 hereof are true, correct and complete in all material respects on and
as of the Closing Date to the same extent as though made on and as of that date
(or, to the extent such representations and warranties specifically relate to an
earlier date, that such representations and warranties were true, correct and
complete in all material respects on and as of such earlier date) and that
Company shall have performed in all material respects all agreements and
satisfied all conditions which this Agreement provides shall be performed or
satisfied by it on or before the Closing Date except as otherwise disclosed to
and agreed to in writing by Agent and Requisite Lenders.

    I.   COMPLETION OF PROCEEDINGS.  All corporate and other proceedings taken
or to be taken in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and all
documents incidental thereto not previously found acceptable by Agent, acting on
behalf of Lenders, and its counsel shall be satisfactory in form and substance
to Agent and such counsel, and Agent and such counsel shall have received all
such counterpart originals or certified copies of such documents as Agent may
reasonably request.

    J.   MATTERS RELATING TO EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS OF COMPANY AND ITS
SUBSIDIARIES.

              (i) Amendment of Existing Credit Agreements.  On the Closing Date,
                  ---------------------------------------                       
    Company and its Subsidiaries shall have (a) made arrangements satisfactory
    to Agent for the repayment in full of all Indebtedness outstanding under the
    Citicorp Loan Agreement (except with respect to any Existing Letters of
    Credit), (b) entered into the Ninth Amendment to Citicorp Loan Agreement in
    the form of Exhibit XIII and all conditions to effectiveness of such
                ------------                                            
    agreement shall have been satisfied, and (c) made arrangements satisfactory
    to Agent with respect to the issuance of one or more Standby Letters of
    Credit to support the obligations of Company under the Citicorp Loan
    Agreement with respect to the Existing Letters of Credit.

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
              (ii) No Other Indebtedness.  There shall be no existing
                   ---------------------                             
    Indebtedness of Company or its Subsidiaries outstanding on the Closing Date
    after giving effect to repayment of the Indebtedness under the Citicorp Loan
    Agreement other than Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.1.

    K.   INSURANCE.  Agent shall have received summaries of insurance in form
and substance satisfactory to Agent, evidencing compliance with the requirements
of Section 5.14.

    L.   CONSENT BY SENIOR NOTE HOLDERS.  The Waiver and Consent, with respect
to the Senior Note Agreements (the "SENIOR NOTE WAIVER") substantially in the
form of Exhibit XIV annexed hereto, shall have been executed and delivered by
        -----------                                                          
holders of not less than 66-2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the
Senior Notes, the consent and waivers contained in Sections 1.1 and 1.3 shall
have become effective in accordance with their terms, and Agent shall have
received evidence satisfactory to it to such effect.

4.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL LOANS.
    ----------------------- 

         The obligations of Lenders to make Loans on each Funding Date are
subject to the following further conditions precedent:

    A.   Agent shall have received before that Funding Date, in accordance with
the provisions of subsection 2.1B, an originally executed Notice of Borrowing,
in each case signed by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer,
the treasurer or the assistant treasurer of Company or by any executive officer
of Company designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of
Company in a writing delivered to Agent.

    B.   As of that Funding Date:

         (i)  The representations and warranties contained herein and in the
    other Loan Documents shall be true, correct and complete in all material
    respects on and as of that Funding Date to the same extent as though made on
    and as of that date, except to the extent such representations and
    warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
    representations and warranties shall have been true, correct and complete in
    all material respects on and as of such earlier date;

         (ii)   No event shall have occurred and be continuing or would result
    from the consummation of the borrowing contemplated by such Notice of
    Borrowing that would constitute an Event of Default or a Potential Event of
    Default;

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
         (iii)  Company shall have performed in all material respects all
    agreements and satisfied all conditions which this Agreement provides shall
    be performed or satisfied by it on or before that Funding Date;

         (iv)   No order, judgment or decree of any court, arbitrator or
    governmental authority shall purport to enjoin or restrain any Lender from
    making the Loans to be made by it on that Funding Date;

         (v)    The making of the Loans requested on such Funding Date shall not
    violate any law including Regulation G, Regulation T, Regulation U or
    Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System;

         (vi)   There shall not be pending or, to the knowledge of Company,
    threatened, any action, suit, proceeding, governmental investigation or
    arbitration against or affecting Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any
    property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries that in the opinion of Agent
    or of Requisite Lenders, would be expected to have a Material Adverse
    Effect; and no injunction or other restraining order shall have been issued
    and no hearing to cause an injunction or other restraining order to be
    issued shall be pending or noticed with respect to any action, suit or
    proceeding seeking to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or to
    recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the transactions
    contemplated by this Agreement or the making of Loans hereunder; and

         (vii)  Until the Senior Notes have been paid in full, the following
    statement shall be true and correct and Company shall be deemed to represent
    and warrant as of such Funding Date as follows:

                After giving effect to the making of each requested Loan or the
         issuance of each requested Letter of Credit, and after giving effect to
         the application of proceeds of such Loan, (i) Consolidated Indebtedness
         (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) does not exceed 50% of
         Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined in the Senior Note
         Agreement) and (ii) the pro forma ratio of Consolidated Income
         Available for Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement)
         to Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) for the four
         consecutive Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such date is not less
         than 2.5 to 1.0.

4.3 CONDITIONS TO LETTERS OF CREDIT.
    ------------------------------- 

         The issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder (whether or not the
applicable Issuing Lender is obligated to issue such Letter of Credit) is
subject to the following conditions precedent:

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
    A.   On or before the date of issuance of the initial Letter of Credit
pursuant to this Agreement, the initial Loans shall have been made.

    B.   On or before the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, Agent shall
have received, in accordance with the provisions of subsection 3.1B(i), an
originally executed Notice of Issuance of Letter of Credit, in each case signed
by the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, the treasurer or
the assistant treasurer of Company or by any executive officer of Company
designated by any of the above-described officers on behalf of Company in a
writing delivered to Agent, together with all other information specified in
subsection 3.1B(i) and such other documents or information as the applicable
Issuing Lender may reasonably require in connection with the issuance of such
Letter of Credit.

    C.   On the date of issuance of such Letter of Credit, all conditions
precedent described in subsection 4.2B shall be satisfied to the same extent as
if the issuance of such Letter of Credit were the making of a Loan and the date
of issuance of such Letter of Credit were a Funding Date.


SECTION 5.  COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make the
Loans, to induce Issuing Lenders to issue Letters of Credit and to induce other
Lenders to purchase participations therein, Company represents and warrants to
each Lender, on the date of this Agreement, on each Funding Date and on the date
of issuance of each Letter of Credit, that the following statements are true,
correct and complete:

5.1 ORGANIZATION, POWERS, QUALIFICATION, GOOD STANDING, BUSINESS AND
    ----------------------------------------------------------------
    SUBSIDIARIES.
    ------------ 

    A.   ORGANIZATION AND POWERS.  Company is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of
incorporation.  Company has all requisite corporate power and authority to own
and operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, to enter into the Loan Documents to which it is a
party and to carry out the transactions contemplated thereby.

    B.   QUALIFICATION AND GOOD STANDING.  Company is qualified to do business
and in good standing in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and
wherever necessary to carry out its business and operations, except in
jurisdictions where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing has not
had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
    C.   CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Company and its Subsidiaries are engaged only in
the businesses permitted to be engaged in pursuant to subsection 7.14.

    D.   SUBSIDIARIES.  All of the Subsidiaries of Company are identified in
Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto, as said Schedule 5.1 may be supplemented from time
- ------------                         ------------                              
to time pursuant to the provisions of subsection 6.1(xiv).  The capital stock of
each of the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto
                                                  ------------               
(as so supplemented) is duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and none of such capital stock constitutes Margin Stock.  Each of
the Subsidiaries of Company identified in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto (as so
                                          ------------                      
supplemented) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of incorporation set
forth therein, has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
operate its properties and to carry on its business as now conducted and as
proposed to be conducted, and is qualified to do business and in good standing
in every jurisdiction where its assets are located and wherever necessary to
carry out its business and operations, in each case except where failure to be
so qualified or in good standing or a lack of such corporate power and authority
has not had and will not have a Material Adverse Effect.  Schedule 5.1 annexed
                                                          ------------        
hereto (as so supplemented) correctly sets forth the ownership interest of
Company and each of its Subsidiaries in each of the Subsidiaries of Company
identified therein.

5.2 AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING, ETC.
    --------------------------------

    A.   AUTHORIZATION OF BORROWING.  The execution, delivery and performance of
the Loan Documents have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of each of the Loan Parties which is a party thereto.

    B.   NO CONFLICT.  The execution, delivery and performance by each of the
Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the consummation
of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and will not (i)
violate any provision of any law or any governmental rule or regulation
applicable to Company or any of its Subsidiaries, the Certificate or Articles of
Incorporation or Bylaws of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any order,
judgment or decree of any court or other agency of government binding on Company
or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) conflict with, result in a breach of or
constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any
Contractual Obligation of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (iii) result in or
require the creation or imposition of any Lien upon any of the properties or
assets of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (other than any Liens created under
any of the Loan Documents in favor of Agent on behalf of Lenders and the Liens
required by Section 7.9(l) of the Senior Note Agreement), or (iv) require any
approval of stockholders or any approval or consent of any Person under any
Contractual Obligation of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, except for such
approvals or consents which will be obtained on or before the Closing Date and
disclosed in writing to Lenders.

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
    C.   GOVERNMENTAL CONSENTS.  The execution, delivery and performance by each
of the Loan Parties of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents do not and
will not require any registration with, consent or approval of, or notice to, or
other action to, with or by, any federal, state or other governmental authority
or regulatory body.

    D.   BINDING OBLIGATION.  Each of the Loan Documents has been duly executed
and delivered by each Loan Party which is a party thereto and is the legally
valid and binding obligation of such Loan Party, enforceable against such Loan
Party in accordance with its respective terms, except as may be limited by
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to
or limiting creditors' rights generally or by equitable principles relating to
enforceability.

5.3 FINANCIAL CONDITION.
    ------------------- 

         Company has heretofore delivered to Lenders, at Lenders' request, the
following financial statements and information:  (i) the audited consolidated
balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as at December 31, 1996 and the
related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows
of Company and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year then ended and (ii) the
unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as at March
31, 1997 and the related unaudited consolidated statements of income,
stockholders' equity and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for the
three months then ended.  All such statements were prepared in conformity with
GAAP and fairly present, in all material respects, the financial position (on a
consolidated basis) of the entities described in such financial statements as at
the respective dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows (on a
consolidated basis) of the entities described therein for each of the periods
then ended, subject, in the case of any such unaudited financial statements, to
changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments and to the absence
of footnotes.  Company does not (and will not following the funding of the
initial Loans) have any Contingent Obligation, contingent liability or liability
for taxes, long-term lease or unusual forward or long-term commitment that is
not reflected in the foregoing financial statements or the notes thereto and
which in any such case is material in relation to the business, operations,
properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of Company
or any of its Subsidiaries.

5.4 NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE; NO RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.
    --------------------------------------------------------- 

         Since December 31, 1996, no event or change has occurred that has
caused or evidences, either in any case or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse
Effect.  Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has directly or indirectly
declared, ordered, paid or made, or set apart any sum or property for, any
Restricted Junior Payment or agreed to do so except as permitted by subsection
7.5.

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
5.5 TITLE TO PROPERTIES; LIENS.
    -------------------------- 

         Company and its Subsidiaries have (i) good, sufficient and legal title
to (in the case of fee interests in real property), (ii) valid leasehold
interests in (in the case of leasehold interests in real or personal property),
or (iii) good title to (in the case of all other personal property), all of
their respective properties and assets reflected in the financial statements
referred to in subsection 5.3 or in the most recent financial statements
delivered pursuant to subsection 6.1, in each case except for assets disposed of
since the date of such financial statements in the ordinary course of business
or as otherwise permitted under subsection 7.7.  Except as permitted by this
Agreement, all such properties and assets are free and clear of Liens.

5.6 LITIGATION; ADVERSE FACTS.
    ------------------------- 

         There are no actions, suits, proceedings, arbitrations or governmental
investigations (whether or not purportedly on behalf of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries) at law or in equity, or before or by any federal, state, municipal
or other governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign (including any Environmental Claims) that
are pending or, to the knowledge of Company, threatened against or affecting
Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries and that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect. Neither Company nor any of its
Subsidiaries (i) is in violation of any applicable laws (including Environmental
Laws) that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect, or (ii) is subject to or in default with
respect to any final judgments, writs, injunctions, decrees, rules or
regulations of any court or any federal, state, municipal or other governmental
department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or
foreign, that, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

5.7 PAYMENT OF TAXES.
    ---------------- 

         Except to the extent permitted by subsection 6.3, all tax returns and
reports of Company and its Subsidiaries required to be filed by any of them have
been timely filed, and all taxes shown on such tax returns to be due and payable
and all assessments, fees and other governmental charges upon Company and its
Subsidiaries and upon their respective properties, assets, income, businesses
and franchises which are due and payable have been paid when due and payable.
Except for a proposed tax assessment of $313,401.29 plus interest, previously
disclosed by Company to Agent, Company knows of no proposed tax assessment
against Company or any of its Subsidiaries which is not being actively contested
by Company or such Subsidiary in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;
provided that such reserves
- --------                   

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be required in conformity with
GAAP shall have been made or provided therefor.

5.8   PERFORMANCE OF AGREEMENTS; MATERIALLY ADVERSE AGREEMENTS; MATERIAL
      ------------------------------------------------------------------
      CONTRACTS.
      ---------

      A.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in default in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations, covenants or
conditions contained in any of its Contractual Obligations, and no condition
exists that, with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both, would
constitute such a default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

      B.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to or is
otherwise subject to any agreements or instruments or any charter or other
internal restrictions which, individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably
be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

      C.   Schedule 5.8 contains a true, correct and complete list of all the
           ------------                                                      
Material Contracts in effect on the Closing Date.  Except as described on
                                                                         
Schedule 5.8, all such Material Contracts are in full force and effect and no
- ------------                                                                 
material defaults currently exist thereunder.

5.9   GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION.
      ----------------------- 

         Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is subject to regulation
under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, the Federal Power Act, the
Interstate Commerce Act or the Investment Company Act of 1940 or under any other
federal or state statute or regulation which may limit its ability to incur
Indebtedness or which may otherwise render all or any portion of the Obligations
unenforceable.

5.10  SECURITIES ACTIVITIES.
      --------------------- 

      A.   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is engaged principally,
or as one of its important activities, in the business of extending credit for
the purpose of purchasing or carrying any Margin Stock.

      B.   Following application of the proceeds of each Loan, not more than 25%
of the value of the assets (either of Company only or of Company and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis) will be Margin Stock.

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
5.11  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
      ---------------------- 

         Neither Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or has ever
maintained, contributes to or has ever contributed to, or is obligated to
contribute to or has ever been obligated to contribute to any Employee Benefit
Plan.

5.12  CERTAIN FEES.
      ------------ 

         No broker's or finder's fee or commission will be payable with respect
to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, and Company
hereby indemnifies Lenders against, and agrees that it will hold Lenders
harmless from, any claim, demand or liability for any such broker's or finder's
fees alleged to have been incurred in connection herewith or therewith and any
expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements of counsel)
arising in connection with any such claim, demand or liability.

5.13  ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.
      ------------------------ 

              (i)    Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries nor any of
      their respective Facilities or operations are subject to any outstanding
      written order, consent decree or settlement agreement with any Person
      relating to (a) any Environmental Law, (b) any Environmental Claim, or (c)
      any Hazardous Materials Activity that, individually or in the aggregate,
      could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

              (ii)   Neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has received
      any letter or request for information under Section 104 of the
      Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42
      U.S.C. (S) 9604) or any comparable state law in connection with any
      matters other than Environmental Claims in which there is already an
      order, settlement agreement or consent decree;

              (iii)  There are and, to Company's knowledge, have been no
      conditions, occurrences, or Hazardous Materials Activities which could
      reasonably be expected to form the basis of an Environmental Claim against
      Company or any of its Subsidiaries that, individually or in the aggregate,
      could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and

              (iv)   Compliance with all current or reasonably foreseeable
      future requirements pursuant to or under Environmental Laws will not,
      individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of giving
      rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
         Notwithstanding anything in this subsection 5.13 to the contrary, no
event or condition has occurred or is occurring with respect to Company or any
of its Subsidiaries relating to any Environmental Law, any Release of Hazardous
Materials, or any Hazardous Materials Activity which individually or in the
aggregate has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect.

5.14  INSURANCE.
      --------- 

         Company and its Subsidiaries have in full force insurance coverage of
their respective properties, assets and businesses (including casualty, general
liability, products liability, business interruption and other insurance,
subject to customary deductibles and retention) with responsible insurance
companies in such amounts and against such risks as is carried by responsible
companies engaged in similar businesses and owning similar assets in the general
areas in which the Borrower and its Subsidiaries operate, which insurance is no
less protective in any material respect than the insurance the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries have carried in accordance with their past practices.

5.15  EMPLOYEE MATTERS.
      ---------------- 

         There is no strike or work stoppage in existence or threatened
involving Company or any of its Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected
to have a Material Adverse Effect.

5.16  SOLVENCY.
      -------- 

         Company and each of its Subsidiaries is and, upon the incurrence of any
Obligations by Company on any date on which this representation is made, will
be, Solvent.

5.17  DISCLOSURE.
      ---------- 

         No representation or warranty of Company or any of its Subsidiaries
contained in any Loan Document or in any other document, certificate or written
statement furnished to Lenders by or on behalf of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries for use in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact (known to Company, in the case of any document not furnished by
it) necessary in order to make the statements contained herein or therein not
misleading in light of the circumstances in which the same were made.  Any
projections and pro forma financial information contained in such materials are
based upon good faith estimates and assumptions believed by Company to be
reasonable at the time made, it being recognized by Lenders that such
projections as to future events are not to be viewed as facts and that actual
results during the period or periods covered by any such

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
projections may differ from the projected results.  There are no facts known (or
which should upon the reasonable exercise of diligence be known) to Company
(other than matters of a general economic nature) that, individually or in the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect
and that have not been disclosed herein or in such other documents, certificates
and statements furnished to Lenders for use in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.


SECTION 6.  COMPANY'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as the Commitments hereunder
shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans and other
Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit, unless
Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent, Company shall
perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in
this Section 6.

6.1 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND OTHER REPORTS.
    -------------------------------------- 

         Company will maintain, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain,
a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with sound
business practices to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity
with GAAP.  Company will deliver to Agent and Lenders:

         (i)  Quarterly Financials: as soon as available and in any event within
    45 days after the end of each Fiscal Quarter and within 90 days after the
    end of the fourth Fiscal Quarter, (a) the consolidated and consolidating (by
    operating division) balance sheet of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the
    end of such Fiscal Quarter and the related consolidated and consolidating
    (by operating division) statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash
    flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Quarter and for the
    period from the beginning of the then current Fiscal Year to the end of such
    Fiscal Quarter, setting forth in each case in comparative form the
    corresponding figures for the corresponding periods of the previous Fiscal
    Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan for the current
    Fiscal Year, all in reasonable detail and certified by the chief financial
    officer or treasurer of Company that they fairly present, in all material
    respects, the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries (on both a
    consolidated and operating division basis) as at the dates indicated and the
    results of their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated,
    subject to changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustments, and
    (b) a narrative report describing the operations of Company and its
    Subsidiaries in the form prepared for presentation to senior management for
    such Fiscal Quarter and for the period from the beginning of the then
    current Fiscal Year to the end of such Fiscal Quarter;

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
         (ii)   Year-End Financials: as soon as available and in any event
                -------------------  
    within 90 days after the end of each Fiscal Year, (a) the consolidated
    balance sheets of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such Fiscal
    Year and the related consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity
    and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year, setting
    forth in each case in comparative form the corresponding figures for the
    previous Fiscal Year and the corresponding figures from the Financial Plan
    for the Fiscal Year covered by such financial statements, all in reasonable
    detail and certified by the chief financial officer or treasurer of Company
    that they fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition
    of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the dates indicated and the results of
    their operations and their cash flows for the periods indicated, (b) a
    narrative report describing the operations of Company and its Subsidiaries
    in the form prepared for presentation to senior management for such Fiscal
    Year, and (c) a report thereon of Ernst & Young or other independent
    certified public accountants of recognized national standing selected by
    Company and satisfactory to Agent, which report shall be unqualified, shall
    express no doubts about the ability of Company and its Subsidiaries to
    continue as a going concern, and shall state that such consolidated
    financial statements fairly present, in all material respects, the
    consolidated financial position of Company and its Subsidiaries as at the
    dates indicated and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
    the periods indicated in conformity with GAAP applied on a basis consistent
    with prior years (except as otherwise disclosed in such financial
    statements) and that the examination by such accountants in connection with
    such consolidated financial statements has been made in accordance with
    generally accepted auditing standards;

         (iii)  Officers' and Compliance Certificates:  together with each
                -------------------------------------                     
    delivery of financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant to
    subdivisions (i) and (ii) above, (a) an Officers' Certificate of Company
    stating that the signers have reviewed the terms of this Agreement and have
    made, or caused to be made under their supervision, a review in reasonable
    detail of the transactions and condition of Company and its Subsidiaries
    during the accounting period covered by such financial statements and that
    such review has not disclosed the existence during or at the end of such
    accounting period, and that the signers do not have knowledge of the
    existence as at the date of such Officers' Certificate, of any condition or
    event that constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default,
    or, if any such condition or event existed or exists, specifying the nature
    and period of existence thereof and what action Company has taken, is taking
    and proposes to take with respect thereto; and (b) a Compliance Certificate
    demonstrating compliance during and at the end of the applicable accounting
    periods with the restrictions contained in Section 7, in each case to the
    extent compliance with such restrictions is required to be tested at the end
    of the applicable accounting period;

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
         (iv)   Accountants' Certification:  together with each delivery of
                --------------------------                                 
    consolidated financial statements of Company and its Subsidiaries pursuant
    to subdivision (ii) above, a written statement by the independent certified
    public accountants giving the report thereon (a) stating whether, in
    connection with their audit, any failures to comply with the terms,
    covenants, provisions or conditions of subsections 7.1(iv), 7.1(vii),
    7.2(v), 7.3(iii), 7.3(vii), 7.4(vii), 7.5, 7.6, 7.8 and 7.9 came to their
    attention and, if such failure to comply came to their attention, specifying
    the nature and period of existence thereof; provided that such accountants
                                                --------                      
    shall not be liable by reason of any failure to obtain knowledge of any such
    Event of Default or Potential Event of Default that would not be disclosed
    in the course of their audit examination, and (b) stating that based on
    their audit examination nothing has come to their attention that causes them
    to believe either or both that the information contained in the certificates
    delivered therewith pursuant to subdivision (iii) above is not correct or
    that the matters set forth in the Compliance Certificates delivered
    therewith pursuant to clause (b) of subdivision (iii) above for the
    applicable Fiscal Year are not stated in accordance with the terms of this
    Agreement;

         (v)    Accountants' Reports:  promptly upon receipt thereof (unless
                --------------------                                        
    restricted by applicable professional standards), copies of all reports
    submitted to Company by independent certified public accountants in
    connection with each annual, interim or special audit of the financial
    statements of Company and its Subsidiaries made by such accountants,
    including any management letter submitted by such accountants to management
    in connection with their annual audit;

         (vi)   SEC Filings and Press Releases:  immediately upon their becoming
                ------------------------------                                  
    available, copies of (a) all financial statements, reports, notices and
    proxy statements sent or made available generally by Company to its security
    holders or by any Subsidiary of Company to its security holders other than
    Company or another Subsidiary of Company, (b) all regular and periodic
    reports and all registration statements (other than on Form S-8 or a similar
    form) and prospectuses, if any, filed by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
    with any securities exchange or with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    or any governmental or private regulatory authority, and (c) all press
    releases and other statements made available generally by Company or any of
    its Subsidiaries to the public concerning material developments in the
    business of Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

         (vii)  Events of Default, etc.:  promptly upon any officer of Company
                -----------------------                                       
    obtaining knowledge (a) of an Event of Default or Potential Event of
    Default, or becoming aware that any Lender has given any notice (other than
    to Agent) or taken any other action with respect to a claimed Event of
    Default or Potential Event of Default, (b) that any Person has given any
    notice to

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
    Company or any of its Subsidiaries or taken any other action with respect to
    a claimed default or event or condition of the type referred to in
    subsection 8.2, (c) of any condition or event that would be required to be
    disclosed in a current report filed by Company with the Securities and
    Exchange Commission on Form 8-K (Items 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 of such Form as in
    effect on the date hereof) to the extent not previously disclosed in a
    report on Form 8-K previously delivered to Lenders, or (d) of the occurrence
    of any event or change that has caused or evidences, either in any case or
    in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, an Officers' Certificate
    specifying the nature and period of existence of such condition, event or
    change, or specifying the notice given or action taken by any such Person
    and the nature of such claimed Event of Default, Potential Event of Default,
    default, event or condition, and what action Company has taken, is taking
    and proposes to take with respect thereto;

         (viii) Litigation or Other Proceedings:  promptly upon any officer of
                -------------------------------                               
    Company obtaining knowledge of (a) the institution of, or non-frivolous
    threat of, any action, suit, proceeding (whether administrative, judicial or
    otherwise), governmental investigation or arbitration against or affecting
    Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any property of Company or any of its
    Subsidiaries (collectively, "PROCEEDINGS") not previously disclosed in
    writing by Company to Lenders or (b) any material development in any
    Proceeding that, in any case:

              (1) if adversely determined, has a reasonable possibility of
         giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect; or

              (2) seeks to enjoin or otherwise prevent the consummation of, or
         to recover any damages or obtain relief as a result of, the
         transactions contemplated hereby;

    written notice thereof together with such other information as may be
    reasonably available to Company to enable Lenders and their counsel to
    evaluate such matters;

         (ix)   ERISA Events:  promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence of
                ------------                                                    
    or forthcoming occurrence of any ERISA Event, a written notice specifying
    the nature thereof, what action Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of
    their respective ERISA Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take
    with respect thereto and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the
    Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor or the PBGC with respect
    thereto;

         (x)    ERISA Notices:  with reasonable promptness, copies of (a) all
                -------------                                                
    notices received by Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their
    respective ERISA Affiliates from a Multiemployer Plan sponsor concerning an
    ERISA

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
    Event and (b) copies of such other documents or governmental reports or
    filings relating to any Employee Benefit Plan as Agent shall reasonably
    request;

         (xi)   Financial Plans:  as soon as practicable and in any event prior
                ---------------
    to the beginning of each Fiscal Year and for each Fiscal Year up to and
    including the year of the Commitment Termination Date, a consolidated plan
    and financial forecast for such Fiscal Year (the "FINANCIAL PLAN" for such
    Fiscal Year) for Company and its Subsidiaries, including (a) forecasted
    consolidated balance sheets and forecasted consolidated statements of income
    and cash flows of Company and its Subsidiaries for such Fiscal Year,
    together with a pro forma Compliance Certificate for such Fiscal Year and an
                    --- -----                                                   
    explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based, (b)
    forecasted consolidated statements of income and cash flows of Company and
    its Subsidiaries for each Fiscal Quarter of the next Fiscal Year, together
    with an explanation of the assumptions on which such forecasts are based,
    and (c) such other information and projections as any Lender may reasonably
    request;

         (xii)  Insurance:  as soon as practicable and in any event by the last
                ---------                                                      
    day of each Fiscal Year, a report in form and substance satisfactory to
    Agent outlining all material insurance coverage maintained as of the date of
    such report by Company and its Subsidiaries and all material insurance
    coverage planned to be maintained by Company and its Subsidiaries in the
    immediately succeeding Fiscal Year;

         (xiii) Board of Directors:  with reasonable promptness, written notice
                ------------------                                             
    of any change in the Board of Directors of Company;

         (xiv)  New Subsidiaries:  promptly upon any Person becoming a
                ----------------                                      
    Subsidiary of Company, a written notice setting forth with respect to such
    Person (a) the date on which such Person became a Subsidiary of Company and
    (b) all of the data required to be set forth in Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto
                                                    ------------               
    with respect to all Subsidiaries of Company (it being understood that such
    written notice shall be deemed to supplement Schedule 5.1 annexed hereto for
                                                 ------------                   
    all purposes of this Agreement;

         (xv)   Other Information:  with reasonable promptness, such other
                -----------------                                         
    information and data with respect to Company or any of its Subsidiaries as
    from time to time may be reasonably requested by any Lender.

6.2 CORPORATE EXISTENCE, ETC.
    -------------------------

         Except as permitted under subsection 7.7, Company will, and will cause
each of its Subsidiaries to, at all times preserve and keep in full force and
effect its

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
corporate existence and all rights and franchises material to its business;
provided, however that neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries shall be
- --------  -------                                                          
required to preserve any such right or franchise if the Board of Directors of
Company or such Subsidiary shall determine that the preservation thereof is no
longer desirable in the conduct of the business of Company or such Subsidiary,
as the case may be, and that the loss thereof is not disadvantageous in any
material respect to Company, such Subsidiary or Lenders.

6.3 PAYMENT OF TAXES AND CLAIMS; TAX CONSOLIDATION.
    ---------------------------------------------- 

    A.   Company will, and will cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay all
taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its
properties or assets or in respect of any of its income, businesses or
franchises before any penalty accrues thereon, and all claims (including claims
for labor, services, materials and supplies) for sums that have become due and
payable and that by law have or may become a Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, prior to the time when any penalty or fine (other than sums not
exceeding an aggregate amount of $50,000) shall be incurred with respect
thereto; provided that no such charge or claim need be paid if it is being
         --------                                                         
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings promptly instituted and
diligently conducted, so long as such reserve or other appropriate provision, if
any, as shall be required in conformity with GAAP shall have been made therefor.

    B.   Company will not, nor will it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, file
or consent to the filing of any consolidated income tax return with any Person
other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

6.4 MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES; INSURANCE.
    ------------------------------------ 

    A.   MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES.  Company will, and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, maintain or cause to be maintained in good repair, working
order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, all material properties
used or useful in the business of Company and its Subsidiaries (including all
Intellectual Property) and from time to time will make or cause to be made all
appropriate repairs, renewals and replacements thereof.

    B.   INSURANCE.  Company will maintain or cause to be maintained, with
financially sound and reputable insurers, such public liability insurance, third
party property damage insurance, business interruption insurance and casualty
insurance with respect to liabilities, losses or damage in respect of the
assets, properties and businesses of Company and its Subsidiaries as may
customarily be carried or maintained under similar circumstances by corporations
of established reputation engaged in similar businesses, in each case in such
amounts (giving effect to self-insurance), with such deductibles, covering such
risks and otherwise on such terms

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
and conditions as shall be customary for corporations similarly situated in the
industry.

6.5 INSPECTION RIGHTS; LENDER MEETING.
    --------------------------------- 

    A.   INSPECTION RIGHTS.  Company shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, permit any authorized representatives designated by any Lender
to visit and inspect any of the properties of Company or of any of its
Subsidiaries, to inspect, copy and take extracts from its and their financial
and accounting records, and to discuss its and their affairs, finances and
accounts with its and their officers and independent public accountants
(provided that Company may, if it so chooses, be present at or participate in
any such discussion), all upon reasonable notice and at such reasonable times
during normal business hours and as often as may reasonably be requested.

    B.   LENDER MEETING.  Company will, upon the request of Agent or Requisite
Lenders, participate in a meeting of Agent and Lenders once during each Fiscal
Year to be held at Company's corporate offices (or at such other location as may
be agreed to by Company and Agent) at such time as may be agreed to by Company
and Agent.

6.6 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC.
    --------------------------

         Company shall comply, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to
comply, with the requirements of all applicable laws, rules, regulations and
orders of any governmental authority (including all Environmental Laws),
noncompliance with which could reasonably be expected to cause, individually or
in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

6.7 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION, DISCLOSURE, ETC.; COMPANY'S ACTIONS
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND
    ------------------------------------------------------------------
    VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.
    -------------------------------- 

    A.   ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND INVESTIGATION.  Company agrees that Agent may,
from time to time and in its reasonable discretion, (i) retain, at Company's
expense, an independent professional consultant to review any environmental
audits, investigations, analyses and reports relating to Hazardous Materials
prepared by or for Company and (ii) in the event (a) Agent reasonably believes
that Company has breached any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
subsection 5.6, 5.13, 6.6 or 6.7 or that there has been a material violation of
Environmental Laws at any Facility or by Company or any of its Subsidiaries at
any other location or (b) an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
conduct its own investigation of any Facility; provided that, in the case of any
                                               --------                         
Facility no longer owned, leased, operated or used by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, Company shall only be obligated to use its best efforts to obtain
permission for Agent's professional consultant to conduct

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
an investigation of such Facility.  For purposes of conducting such a review
and/or investigation, Company hereby grants to Agent and its agents, employees,
consultants and contractors the right to enter into or onto any Facilities
currently owned, leased, operated or used by Company or any of its Subsidiaries
and to perform such tests on such property (including taking samples of soil,
groundwater and suspected asbestos-containing materials) as are reasonably
necessary in connection therewith.  Any such investigation of any Facility shall
be conducted, unless otherwise agreed to by Company and Agent, during normal
business hours and, to the extent reasonably practicable, shall be conducted so
as not to interfere with the ongoing operations at such Facility or to cause any
damage or loss to any property at such Facility.  Company and Agent hereby
acknowledge and agree that any report of any investigation conducted at the
request of Agent pursuant to this subsection 6.7A will be obtained and shall be
used by Agent and Lenders for the purposes of Lenders' internal credit
decisions, to monitor and police the Loans and to protect Lenders' security
interests, if any, created by the Loan Documents.  Agent agrees to deliver a
copy of any such report to Company with the understanding that Company
acknowledges and agrees that (x) it will indemnify and hold harmless Agent and
each Lender from any costs, losses or liabilities relating to Company's use of
or reliance on such report, (y) neither Agent nor any Lender makes any
representation or warranty with respect to such report, and (z) by delivering
such report to Company, neither Agent nor any Lender is requiring or
recommending the implementation of any suggestions or recommendations contained
in such report.

    B.   ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE.  Company will deliver to Agent and Lenders:

         (i)    Environmental Audits and Reports: as soon as practicable
                --------------------------------
    following receipt thereof, copies of all environmental audits,
    investigations, analyses and reports of any kind or character, whether
    prepared by personnel of Company or any of its Subsidiaries or by
    independent consultants, governmental authorities or any other Persons, with
    respect to significant environmental matters at any Facility which,
    individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in
    a Material Adverse Effect or with respect to any Environmental Claims which,
    individually or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in
    a Material Adverse Effect;

         (ii)   Notice of Certain Releases, Remedial Actions, Etc.  promptly
                -------------------------------------------------
    upon the occurrence thereof, written notice describing in reasonable detail
    (a) any Release required to be reported to any federal, state or local
    governmental or regulatory agency under any applicable Environmental Laws,
    (b) any remedial action taken by Company or any other Person in response to
    (1) any Hazardous Materials Activities the existence of which has a
    reasonable possibility of resulting in one or more Environmental Claims
    having, individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect, or (2)
    any Environmental Claims that, individually or in the aggregate, have a
    reasonable

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
    possibility of resulting in a Material Adverse Effect, and (c) Company's
    discovery of any occurrence or condition on any real property adjoining or
    in the vicinity of any Facility that could cause such Facility or any part
    thereof to be subject to any material restrictions on the ownership,
    occupancy, transferability or use thereof under any Environmental Laws.

         (iii)  Written Communications Regarding Environmental Claims, Releases,
                ----------------------------------------------------------------
    Etc.  as soon as practicable following the sending or receipt thereof by
    ----                                                                    
    Company or any of its Subsidiaries, a copy of any and all written
    communications with respect to (a) any Environmental Claims that,
    individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of giving
    rise to a Material Adverse Effect, (b) any Release required to be reported
    to any federal, state or local governmental or regulatory agency, and (c)
    any request for information from any governmental agency that suggests such
    agency is investigating whether Company or any of its Subsidiaries may be
    potentially responsible for any Hazardous Materials Activity which has a
    reasonable possibility of giving rise to a Material Adverse Effect.

         (iv)   Notice of Certain Proposed Actions Having Environmental Impact.
                --------------------------------------------------------------  
    prompt written notice describing in reasonable detail (a) any proposed
    acquisition of stock, assets, or property by Company or any of its
    Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to expose Company or any of
    its Subsidiaries to, or result in, Environmental Claims that could
    reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate, a Material
    Adverse Effect, and (b) any proposed action to be taken by Company or any of
    its Subsidiaries to modify current operations in a manner that could
    reasonably be expected to subject Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any
    material additional obligations or requirements under any Environmental Laws
    that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in the aggregate,
    a Material Adverse Effect.

         (v)    Other Information. with reasonable promptness, such other
                -----------------
    documents and information as from time to time may be reasonably requested
    by Agent in relation to any matters disclosed pursuant to this subsection
    6.7.

    C.   COMPANY'S ACTIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ACTIVITIES,
ENVIRONMENTAL CLAIMS AND VIOLATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS.

         (i)    Remedial Actions Relating to Hazardous Materials Activities.
                -----------------------------------------------------------  
    Company shall promptly undertake, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
    promptly to undertake, any and all investigations, studies, sampling,
    testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response actions
    necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials
    Activity on, under or about any Facility that is in violation of any
    Environmental Laws or that presents a material risk of giving rise to an
    Environmental Claim that

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
    could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  In the
    event Company or any of its Subsidiaries undertakes any such action with
    respect to any Hazardous Materials, Company or such Subsidiary shall conduct
    and complete such action in compliance with all applicable Environmental
    Laws and in accordance with the policies, orders and directives of all
    federal, state and local governmental authorities except when, and only to
    the extent that, Company's or such Subsidiary's liability with respect to
    such Hazardous Materials Activity is being contested in good faith by
    Company or such Subsidiary.

         (ii)   Actions With Respect to Environmental Claims and Violations of
                --------------------------------------------------------------
    Environmental Laws.  Company shall promptly take, and shall cause each of
    ------------------                                                       
    its Subsidiaries promptly to take, any and all actions necessary to (i) cure
    any material violation of applicable Environmental Laws by Company or its
    Subsidiaries that could reasonably be expected to have, individually or in
    the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect and (ii) make an appropriate
    response to any Environmental Claim against Company or any of its
    Subsidiaries and discharge any obligations it may have to any Person
    thereunder where failure to do so could reasonably be expected to have,
    individually or in the aggregate, a Material Adverse Effect.

6.8 EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES BY CERTAIN SUBSIDIARIES AND FUTURE
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    SUBSIDIARIES.
    ------------ 

    A.   EXECUTION OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES.  In the event that any Person
becomes a Domestic Subsidiary of Company after the date hereof, Company will
promptly notify Agent of that fact and, at the request of Agent, cause such
Subsidiary to execute and deliver to Agent a Subsidiary Guaranty in the form of
Exhibit XII-B annexed hereto and a Subordination Agreement in the form of
- -------------                                                            
Exhibit IX-B annexed hereto; provided that so long as such Person is a Non-
- ------------                 --------                                     
Material Domestic Subsidiary, it shall not be required to execute and deliver to
Agent a Subsidiary Guaranty or a Subordination Agreement.

    B.   SUBSIDIARY CHARTER DOCUMENTS, LEGAL OPINIONS, ETC.  Company shall
deliver to Agent, together with such Loan Documents, (i) certified copies of
such Subsidiary's Certificate or Articles of Incorporation, together with a good
standing certificate from the Secretary of State of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation and each other state in which such Person is qualified as a
foreign corporation to do business and, to the extent generally available, a
certificate or other evidence of good standing as to payment of any applicable
franchise or similar taxes from the appropriate taxing authority of each of such
jurisdictions, each to be dated a recent date prior to their delivery to Agent,
(ii) a copy of such Subsidiary's Bylaws, certified by its corporate secretary or
an assistant secretary as of a recent date prior to their delivery to Agent,
(iii) a certificate executed by the secretary or an assistant secretary of such
Subsidiary

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
as to (a) the fact that the attached resolutions of the Board of Directors of
such Subsidiary approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and
performance of such Loan Documents are in full force and effect and have not
been modified or amended and (b) the incumbency and signatures of the officers
of such Subsidiary executing such Loan Documents, and (iv) if reasonably
requested by Agent, a favorable opinion of counsel to such Subsidiary, in form
and substance satisfactory to Agent and its counsel, as to (a) the due
organization and good standing of such Subsidiary, (b) the due authorization,
execution and delivery by such Subsidiary of such Loan Documents, (c) the
enforceability of such Loan Documents against such Subsidiary, (d) such other
matters as Agent may reasonably request, all of the foregoing to be satisfactory
in form and substance to Agent and its counsel.


SECTION 7.  COMPANY'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         Company covenants and agrees that, so long as the Commitments hereunder
shall remain in effect and until payment in full of all of the Loans and other
Obligations and the cancellation or expiration of all Letters of Credit, unless
Requisite Lenders shall otherwise give prior written consent, Company shall
perform, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to perform, all covenants in
this Section 7.

7.1 INDEBTEDNESS.
    ------------ 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or guaranty, or otherwise become
or remain directly or indirectly liable with respect to, any Indebtedness,
except:

         (i)    Loan Parties may become and remain liable with respect to the
    Obligations;

         (ii)   Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
    respect to Contingent Obligations permitted by subsection 7.4 and, upon any
    matured obligations actually arising pursuant thereto, the Indebtedness
    corresponding to the Contingent Obligations so extinguished;

         (iii)  Any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company may become and remain
    liable with respect to Indebtedness to Company; provided that (a) all such
                                                    --------                  
    intercompany Indebtedness shall be evidenced by promissory notes, (b) all
    such intercompany Indebtedness of each Subsidiary Guarantor shall be
    subordinated to the Obligations of such Subsidiary Guarantor under the
    Subsidiary Guaranties pursuant to the Subordination Agreements, and (c) any
    payment by any Subsidiary Guarantor of Company under any guaranty of the
    Obligations shall result in a pro tanto reduction of the amount of any
                                  --- -----                               

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
    intercompany Indebtedness owed by such Subsidiary to Company or to any of
    its Subsidiaries for whose benefit such payment is made;

         (iv)   Subsidiaries of Company other than wholly-owned Subsidiary
    Guarantors may become and remain liable with respect to intercompany
    Indebtedness to Company and the Subsidiary Guarantors in an aggregate
    principal amount not to exceed $95,000,000 at any time outstanding;

         (v)    Company and Subsidiary Guarantors may become and remain liable
    with respect to Indebtedness outstanding under the Senior Note Agreement;

         (vi)   Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain liable
    with respect to Indebtedness described in Schedule 7.1 annexed hereto; and
                                              ------------                    

         (vii)  Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
    respect to other Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed
    $5,000,000 at any time outstanding; provided that the maximum aggregate
                                        --------                           
    liability of Subsidiaries other than wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantors in
    respect to Indebtedness permitted by subsection 7.1(vii) shall at no time
    exceed $1,000,000.

7.2 LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS.
    ------------------------- 

    A.   PROHIBITION ON LIENS.  Company shall not, and shall not permit any of
its Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on or with respect to any property or asset of any kind
(including any document or instrument in respect of goods or accounts
receivable) of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, or any income or profits therefrom, or file or permit the
filing of, or permit to remain in effect, any financing statement or other
similar notice of any Lien with respect to any such property, asset, income or
profits under the Uniform Commercial Code of any State or under any similar
recording or notice statute, except:

         (i)    Permitted Encumbrances;

         (ii)   Existing Liens described in Schedule 7.2 annexed hereto;
                                            ------------                

         (iii)  Liens in favor of the holders of the Senior Notes created
    pursuant to Section 7.9(l) of the Senior Note Agreement; provided that an
                                                             --------        
    equal amount of cash collateral has been deposited in the Collateral Account
    pursuant to the Collateral Account Agreement;

         (iv)   Liens created under any Loan Document; and

                                       79
<PAGE>
 
         (v)    Other Liens securing Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
    amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any time outstanding.

    B.   EQUITABLE LIEN IN FAVOR OF LENDERS.  If Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall create or assume any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, other than Liens excepted by
the provisions of subsection 7.2A, it shall make or cause to be made effective
provision whereby the Obligations will be secured by such Lien equally and
ratably with any and all other Indebtedness secured thereby as long as any such
Indebtedness shall be so secured; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing,
                                  --------                                     
this covenant shall not be construed as a consent by Requisite Lenders to the
creation or assumption of any such Lien not permitted by the provisions of
subsection 7.2A.

    C.   NO FURTHER NEGATIVE PLEDGES.  Except with respect to specific property
encumbered to secure payment of particular Indebtedness or to be sold pursuant
to an executed agreement with respect to an Asset Sale, neither Company nor any
of its Subsidiaries shall enter into any agreement (other than an agreement
prohibiting only the creation of Liens securing Subordinated Indebtedness)
prohibiting the creation or assumption of any Lien upon any of its properties or
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired.

    D.   NO RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARY DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMPANY OR OTHER
SUBSIDIARIES.  Except as provided herein, Company will not, and will not permit
any of its Subsidiaries to, create or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or
become effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction of any kind on the
ability of any such Subsidiary to (i) pay dividends or make any other
distributions on any of such Subsidiary's capital stock owned by Company or any
other Subsidiary of Company, (ii) repay or prepay any Indebtedness owed by such
Subsidiary to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, (iii) make loans or
advances to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company, or (iv) transfer any of
its property or assets to Company or any other Subsidiary of Company.

7.3 INVESTMENTS; JOINT VENTURES.
    --------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, make or own any Investment in any Person, including any
Joint Venture, except:

         (i)    Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own Investments in
    Cash Equivalents;

         (ii)   Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own the Investments
    owned by them as of the Closing Date in any Subsidiaries of Company;

                                       80
<PAGE>
 
         (iii)  Company may make intercompany Investments to the extent
    permitted under subsections 7.1(iii) and 7.1(iv);

         (iv)   Company and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital
    Expenditures permitted by subsection 7.8;

         (v)    Company and its Subsidiaries may continue to own the Investments
    owned by them and described in Schedule 7.3 annexed hereto;
                                   ------------                

         (vi)   Company and its Subsidiaries may make acquisitions permitted by
    subsection 7.7(v) hereof; and

         (vii)  Company and its Subsidiaries may make and own other Investments
    (other than acquisitions described in subsection 7.7(v) hereof) in an
    aggregate amount not to exceed at any time $5,000,000.

7.4 CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS.
    ---------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, create or become or remain liable with respect to any
Contingent Obligation, except:

         (i)    Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
    Obligations in respect of Letters of Credit and Existing Letters of Credit
    and any other contingent obligations hereunder or under any other Loan
    Documents;

         (ii)   Company may become and remain liable with respect to Contingent
    Obligations under Hedge Agreements;

         (iii)  Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
    respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of customary indemnification
    and purchase price adjustment obligations incurred in connection with Asset
    Sales or other sales of assets;

         (iv)   Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
    respect to Contingent Obligations in respect of any Indebtedness of Company
    or any of its Subsidiaries permitted by subsection 7.1;

         (v)    Company and its Subsidiaries, as applicable, may remain liable
    with respect to Contingent Obligations described in Schedule 7.4 annexed
                                                        ------------
    hereto;

                                       81
<PAGE>
 
         (vi)   Subsidiary Guarantors may become and remain liable with respect
    to the Subsidiary Guaranties; and

         (vii)  Company and its Subsidiaries may become and remain liable with
    respect to other Contingent Obligations; provided that the maximum aggregate
                                             --------                           
    liability, contingent or otherwise, of Company and its Subsidiaries in
    respect of all such Contingent Obligations shall at no time exceed
    $5,000,000.

7.5 RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS.
    -------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to,
directly or indirectly, declare, order, pay, make or set apart any sum for any
Restricted Junior Payment; provided that so long as no Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at the time
thereof or shall be caused thereby, Company may make Restricted Junior Payments
from and after the date hereof in a cumulative amount not exceeding the sum of
(i) $5,000,000 and (ii) 25% of Consolidated Net Income arising after June 30,
1997.

7.6 FINANCIAL COVENANTS.
    ------------------- 

    A.   MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO.  Company shall not permit the ratio of
(i) Consolidated EBITDA to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense at the end of each
Fiscal Quarter to be less than 3.00 to 1.00.

    B.   MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO.  Company shall not permit the
ratio of (i) Consolidated EBITDA less (x) Consolidated Capital Expenditures and
                                 ----                                          
(y) cash paid for income taxes (both (x) and (y) as computed as of the last day
of each Fiscal Quarter for the fiscal period consisting of that Fiscal Quarter
and the three immediately preceding Fiscal Quarters) to (ii) Consolidated Fixed
Charges at the end of each Fiscal Quarter to be less than 1.25 to 1.00.

    C.   MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO.  Company shall not permit the ratio of (i)
Consolidated Total Debt at the end of each Fiscal Quarter to (ii) Consolidated
EBITDA, during any of the periods set forth below, to exceed the correlative
ratio indicated:

               PERIOD                     MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO
    ----------------------------        ---------------------------

    Closing Date through 6/30/98                     1.00:1.00
    7/1/98 and thereafter                             .75:1.00

                                       82
<PAGE>
 
    D.   MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED CURRENT RATIO.  Company shall not permit as of the
last day of any Fiscal Quarter the ratio of (i) Consolidated Current Assets to
(ii) Consolidated Current Liabilities to be less than 2.00 to 1.00.

    E.   MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH.  Company shall not permit
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of (i)
$130,000,000, plus (ii) 75% of Consolidated Net Income of Company and its
              ----                                                       
Subsidiaries (but only if a positive number) for each Fiscal Quarter ending
after the Closing Date, plus (iii) 75% of the Consolidated net proceeds from the
                        ----                                                    
sale of equity securities of Company or a Subsidiary after the Closing Date.

7.7 RESTRICTION ON FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES AND ACQUISITIONS.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
alter the corporate, capital or legal structure of Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, or enter into any transaction of merger or consolidation, or
liquidate, wind-up or dissolve itself (or suffer any liquidation or
dissolution), or convey, sell, lease or sub-lease (as lessor or sub-lessor),
transfer or otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of
transactions, all or any part of its business, property or assets, whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, or acquire by purchase or otherwise all or
substantially all the business, property or fixed assets of, or stock or other
evidence of beneficial ownership of, any Person or any division or line of
business of any Person, except:

         (i)    any Subsidiary of Company may be merged with or into Company or
    any wholly-owned Subsidiary of Company, or be liquidated, wound up or
    dissolved, or all or any part of its business, property or assets may be
    conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed of, in one
    transaction or a series of transactions, to Company or any wholly-owned
    Subsidiary of Company; provided that, in the case of such a merger, Company
                           --------
    or such wholly-owned Subsidiary shall be the continuing or surviving
    corporation;

         (ii)   Company and its Subsidiaries may make Consolidated Capital
    Expenditures permitted under subsection 7.8;

         (iii)  Company and its Subsidiaries may dispose of obsolete, worn out
    or surplus property in the ordinary course of business;

         (iv)   Company and its Subsidiaries may sell or otherwise dispose of
    assets in transactions that do not constitute Asset Sales; provided that the
                                                               --------         
    consideration received for such assets shall be in an amount at least equal
    to the fair market value thereof; and

         (v)    Company and its Subsidiaries may acquire the business, property
    or fixed assets of, or all of the stock or other evidence of beneficial
    ownership

                                       83
<PAGE>
 
    of, any Person or any division or line of business of any Person; provided
                                                                      --------
    that, (a) the aggregate amount of cash and noncash consideration (including
    any Indebtedness assumed by Company or its Subsidiaries but excluding any
    equity Securities issued by Company in connection with such transaction)
    paid by Company and its Subsidiaries during the period beginning on the
    Closing Date and continuing thereafter for all such acquisitions shall not
    exceed $10,000,000, (b) after giving effect to each such acquisition,
    Company shall be in compliance with all provisions of subsection 7.6 on a
    pro forma basis, and (c) any business acquired in any such acquisition shall
    not be materially different from the lines of business engaged in by Company
    or its Subsidiaries as of the Closing Date.

7.8 CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.
    --------------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit its Subsidiaries to, make or
incur Consolidated Capital Expenditures, in any Fiscal Year, in an aggregate
amount in excess of $50,000,000 (the "MAXIMUM CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
AMOUNT"); provided that the outstanding amount of Consolidated Capital
          --------                                                    
Expenditures incurred by all Subsidiaries of the Company other than the wholly-
owned Subsidiary Guarantors (the "NON-SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR CAPITAL
EXPENDITURES") shall not exceed, in any Fiscal Year, $10,000,000 (the "NON-
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTOR SUBLIMIT AMOUNT"); provided, further that the Maximum
                                        --------  -------                 
Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount and the Non-Subsidiary Guarantor
Sublimit Amount for any Fiscal Year shall be increased by an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the Maximum Consolidated Capital Expenditures Amount and the
Non-Subsidiary Guarantor Sublimit Amount, respectively, for the previous Fiscal
Year (without giving effect to any adjustment made in accordance with this
proviso) over the actual amount of Consolidated Capital Expenditures and Non-
Subsidiary Guarantor Capital Expenditures, respectively, for such previous
Fiscal Year.

7.9 RESTRICTION ON LEASES.
    --------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
become liable in any way, whether directly or by assignment or as a guarantor or
other surety, for the obligations of the lessee under any Operating Lease (other
than intercompany leases between Company and its wholly-owned Subsidiaries),
unless, immediately after giving effect to the incurrence of liability with
respect to such lease, the Consolidated Rental Payments at the time in effect
during the then current or any subsequent Fiscal Year will not exceed
$5,000,000.

7.10  SALES AND LEASE-BACKS.
      --------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, become or remain liable as lessee or as a guarantor or
other surety with respect to any lease, whether an Operating Lease or a Capital
Lease, of

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<PAGE>
 
any property (whether real, personal or mixed), whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, (i) which Company or any of its Subsidiaries has sold or transferred
or is to sell or transfer to any other Person (other than Company or any of its
Subsidiaries) or (ii) which Company or any of its Subsidiaries intends to use
for substantially the same purpose as any other property which has been or is to
be sold or transferred by Company or any of its Subsidiaries to any Person
(other than Company or any of its Subsidiaries) in connection with such lease.

7.11  SALE OR DISCOUNT OF RECEIVABLES.
      ------------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, sell with recourse, or discount or otherwise sell for
less than the face value thereof, any of its notes or accounts receivable.

7.12  TRANSACTIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS AND AFFILIATES.
      --------------------------------------------- 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
directly or indirectly, enter into or permit to exist any transaction (including
the purchase, sale, lease or exchange of any property or the rendering of any
service) with any holder of 5% or more of any class of equity Securities of
Company or with any Affiliate of Company or of any such holder, on terms that
are less favorable to Company or that Subsidiary, as the case may be, than those
that might be obtained at the time from Persons who are not such a holder or
Affiliate; provided that the foregoing restriction shall not apply to (i) any
           --------                                                          
transaction between Company and any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or between
any of its wholly-owned Subsidiaries or (ii) reasonable and customary fees paid
to members of the Boards of Directors of Company and its Subsidiaries.

7.13  DISPOSAL OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK.
      ---------------------------- 

         Company shall not:

         (i)  directly or indirectly sell, assign, pledge or otherwise encumber
    or dispose of any shares of capital stock or other equity Securities of any
    of its Subsidiaries, except to qualify directors if required by applicable
    law; or

         (ii) permit any of its Subsidiaries directly or indirectly to sell,
    assign, pledge or otherwise encumber or dispose of any shares of capital
    stock or other equity Securities of any of its Subsidiaries (including such
    Subsidiary), except to Company, another Subsidiary of Company, or to qualify
    directors if required by applicable law.

                                       85
<PAGE>
 
7.14  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.
      ------------------- 

         From and after the Closing Date, Company shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business other than (i) the
businesses engaged in by Company and its Subsidiaries on the Closing Date and
similar or related businesses and (ii) such other lines of business as may be
consented to by Requisite Lenders.

7.15  AMENDMENTS OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SENIOR NOTES.
      ------------------------------------------------ 

         Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
amend or otherwise change the terms of the Senior Note Agreement, or make any
payment consistent with an amendment thereof or change thereto, if the effect of
such amendment or change is to increase the interest rate on such Senior Notes,
change (to earlier dates) any dates upon which payments of principal or interest
are due thereon, change any event of default or condition to an event of default
with respect thereto (other than to eliminate any such event of default or
increase any grace period related thereto), change the redemption, prepayment or
defeasance provisions thereof, change the subordination provisions thereof (or
of any guaranty thereof), except as set forth in subsection 10.20, or change any
collateral therefor (other than to release such collateral), or if the effect of
such amendment or change, together with all other amendments or changes made, is
to increase materially the obligations of the obligor thereunder or to confer
any additional rights on the holders of such Senior Notes (or a trustee or other
representative on their behalf) which would be adverse to Company or Lenders.

7.16  FISCAL YEAR
      -----------

         Company shall not change its Fiscal Year-end from December 31 of each
calendar year.


SECTION 8.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

            If any of the following conditions or events ("Events of Default")
shall occur:

8.1   FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENTS WHEN DUE.
      --------------------------------- 

         Failure by Company to pay any installment of principal of any Loan when
due, whether at stated maturity, by acceleration, by notice of voluntary
prepayment, by mandatory prepayment or otherwise; failure by Company to pay when
due any amount payable to an Issuing Lender in reimbursement of any drawing
under a Letter of Credit; or failure by Company to pay any interest on any Loan
or any fee

                                       86
<PAGE>
 
or any other amount due under this Agreement within two Business Days (provided,
                                                                       -------- 
that if Company does not receive notice of the amount of interest or fees due on
or before any date when such interest or fees are due and payable, the two
Business Day period shall not commence until the date of receipt of such notice)
after the date due; or

8.2   DEFAULT IN OTHER AGREEMENTS.
      --------------------------- 

         (i)  Failure of Company or any of its Subsidiaries to pay when due any
principal of or interest on or any other amount payable in respect of one or
more items of Indebtedness (other than Indebtedness referred to in subsection
8.1) or Contingent Obligations in an individual principal amount of $500,000 or
more or with an aggregate principal amount of $500,000 or more, in each case
beyond the end of any grace period provided therefor; or (ii) breach or default
by Company or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to any other material term of
(a) one or more items of Indebtedness or Contingent Obligations in the
individual or aggregate principal amounts referred to in clause (i) above or (b)
any loan agreement, mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating to such
item(s) of Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s), if the effect of such
breach or default is to cause, or to permit the holder or holders of that
Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) (or a trustee on behalf of such holder
or holders) to cause, that Indebtedness or Contingent Obligation(s) to become or
be declared due and payable prior to its stated maturity or the stated maturity
of any underlying obligation, as the case may be (upon the giving or receiving
of notice, lapse of time, both, or otherwise); or

8.3   BREACH OF CERTAIN COVENANTS.
      --------------------------- 

         Failure of Company to perform or comply with any term or condition
contained in subsection 2.5 or 6.2 or Section 7 of this Agreement; or

8.4   BREACH OF WARRANTY.
      ------------------ 

         Any representation, warranty, certification or other statement made by
Company or any of its Subsidiaries in any Loan Document or in any statement or
certificate at any time given by Company or any of its Subsidiaries in writing
pursuant hereto or thereto or in connection herewith or therewith shall be false
in any material respect on the date as of which made; or

8.5   OTHER DEFAULTS UNDER LOAN DOCUMENTS.
      ----------------------------------- 

         Company shall default in the performance of or compliance with any term
contained in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, other than any
such term referred to in any other subsection of this Section 8, and such
default shall not have been remedied or waived within 30 days after the earlier
of (i) an

                                       87
<PAGE>
 
officer of Company becoming aware of such default or (ii) receipt by Company of
notice from Agent or any Lender of such default; or

8.6   INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
      -----------------------------------------------------

         (i)  A court having jurisdiction in the premises shall enter a decree
or order for relief in respect of Company or any of its Subsidiaries in an
involuntary case under the Bankruptcy Code or under any other applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect, which decree
or order is not stayed; or any other similar relief shall be granted under any
applicable federal or state law; or (ii) an involuntary case shall be commenced
against Company or any of its Subsidiaries under the Bankruptcy Code or under
any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in
effect; or a decree or order of a court having jurisdiction in the premises for
the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, sequestrator, trustee, custodian or
other officer having similar powers over Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or
over all or a substantial part of its property, shall have been entered; or
there shall have occurred the involuntary appointment of an interim receiver,
trustee or other custodian of Company or any of its Subsidiaries for all or a
substantial part of its property; or a warrant of attachment, execution or
similar process shall have been issued against any substantial part of the
property of Company or any of its Subsidiaries, and any such event described in
this clause (ii) shall continue for 60 days unless dismissed, bonded or
discharged; or

8.7   VOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY; APPOINTMENT OF RECEIVER, ETC.
      ---------------------------------------------------

         (i)  Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall have an order for relief
entered with respect to it or commence a voluntary case under the Bankruptcy
Code or under any other applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or
hereafter in effect, or shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case, or to the conversion of an involuntary case to a voluntary
case, under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment of or taking
possession by a receiver, trustee or other custodian for all or a substantial
part of its property; or Company or any of its Subsidiaries shall make any
assignment for the benefit of creditors; or (ii) Company or any of its
Subsidiaries shall be unable, or shall fail generally, or shall admit in writing
its inability, to pay its debts as such debts become due; or the Board of
Directors of Company or any of its Subsidiaries (or any committee thereof) shall
adopt any resolution or otherwise authorize any action to approve any of the
actions referred to in clause (i) above or this clause (ii); or

8.8   JUDGMENTS AND ATTACHMENTS.
      ------------------------- 

         Any money judgment, writ or warrant of attachment or similar process
involving in the aggregate at any time an amount in excess of $500,000 (not
adequately covered by insurance as to which a solvent and unaffiliated insurance

                                       88
<PAGE>
 
company has acknowledged coverage) shall be entered or filed against Company or
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective assets and shall remain
undischarged, unvacated, unbonded or unstayed for a period of 60 days (or in any
event later than five days prior to the date of any proposed sale thereunder);
or

8.9   DISSOLUTION.
      ----------- 

         Any order, judgment or decree shall be entered against Company or any
of its Subsidiaries decreeing the dissolution or split up of Company or that
Subsidiary and such order shall remain undischarged or unstayed for a period in
excess of 30 days; or

8.10  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
      ---------------------- 

         There shall occur one or more ERISA Events which individually or in the
aggregate results in or might reasonably be expected to result in liability of
Company, any of its Subsidiaries or any of their respective ERISA Affiliates in
excess of $1,000,000 during the term of this Agreement; or there shall exist an
amount of unfunded benefit liabilities (as defined in Section 4001(a)(18) of
ERISA), individually or in the aggregate for all Pension Plans (excluding for
purposes of such computation any Pension Plans with respect to which assets
exceed benefit liabilities), which exceeds $5,000,000; or

8.11  CHANGE IN CONTROL.
      ----------------- 

         Any Person or any two or more Persons acting in concert shall have
acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act), directly or
indirectly, of Securities of Company (or other Securities convertible into such
Securities) representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of all
Securities of Company entitled to vote in the election of directors, other than
Securities having such power only by reason of the happening of a contingency:
or

8.12  INVALIDITY OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES; REPUDIATION OF OBLIGATIONS.
      --------------------------------------------------------------- 

         At any time after the execution and delivery thereof, (i) any of the
Subsidiary Guaranties for any reason, other than the satisfaction in full of all
Obligations, shall cease to be in full force and effect (other than in
accordance with its terms) or shall be declared to be null and void, or (ii) any
Loan Party shall contest the validity or enforceability of any Loan Document in
writing or deny in writing that it has any further liability, including without
limitation with respect to future advances by Lenders, under any Loan document
to which it is a party;

                                       89
<PAGE>
 
THEN (i) upon the occurrence of any Event of Default described in subsection 8.6
or 8.7, each of (a) the unpaid principal amount of and accrued interest on the
Loans, (b) an amount equal to the maximum amount that may at any time be drawn
under all Letters of Credit then outstanding (whether or not any beneficiary
under any such Letter of Credit shall have presented, or shall be entitled at
such time to present, the drafts or other documents or certificates required to
draw under such Letter of Credit), and (c) all other Obligations shall
automatically become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand,
protest or other requirements of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly
waived by Company, and the obligation of each Lender to make any Loan, the
obligation of Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit and the right of any
Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall thereupon terminate, and
(ii) upon the occurrence and during the continuation of any other Event of
Default, Agent shall, upon the written request or with the written consent of
Requisite Lenders, by written notice to Company, declare all or any portion of
the amounts described in clauses (a) through (c) above to be, and the same shall
forthwith become, immediately due and payable, and the obligation of each Lender
to make any Loan, the obligation of Issuing Lender to issue any Letter of Credit
and the right of any Lender to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder shall
thereupon terminate; provided that the foregoing shall not affect in any way the
                     --------                                                   
obligations of Lenders under subsection 3.3C(i).

         Any amounts described in clause (b) above, when received by Agent,
shall be held by Agent pursuant to the terms of the Collateral Account Agreement
and shall be applied as therein provided.

         Notwithstanding anything contained in the second preceding paragraph,
if at any time within 60 days after an acceleration of the Loans pursuant to
clause (ii) of such paragraph Company shall pay all arrears of interest and all
payments on account of principal which shall have become due otherwise than as a
result of such acceleration (with interest on principal and, to the extent
permitted by law, on overdue interest, at the rates specified in this Agreement)
and all Events of Default and Potential Events of Default (other than non-
payment of the principal of and accrued interest on the Loans, in each case
which is due and payable solely by virtue of acceleration) shall be remedied or
waived pursuant to subsection 10.6, then all Lenders, by written notice to
Company, may at their option rescind and annul such acceleration and its
consequences; but such action shall not affect any subsequent Event of Default
or Potential Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon.  The
provisions of this paragraph are intended merely to bind Lenders to a decision
which may be made at the election of all Lenders and are not intended, directly
or indirectly, to benefit Company, and such provisions shall not at any time be
construed so as to grant Company the right to require Lenders to rescind or
annul any acceleration hereunder or to preclude Agent or Lenders from exercising
any of the rights or remedies available to them under any of the Loan Documents,
even if the conditions set forth in this paragraph are met.

                                       90
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 9.  AGENT

9.1   APPOINTMENT.
      ----------- 

         UBOC is hereby appointed Agent hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents and each Lender hereby authorizes Agent to act as its agent in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.  Agent
agrees to act upon the express conditions contained in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, as applicable.  The provisions of this Section 9 are
solely for the benefit of Agent and Lenders and Company shall have no rights as
a third party beneficiary of any of the provisions thereof.  In performing its
functions and duties under this Agreement, Agent shall act solely as an agent of
Lenders and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any
obligation towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for Company or any
of its Subsidiaries.

9.2   POWERS AND DUTIES; GENERAL IMMUNITY.
      ----------------------------------- 

      A.   POWERS; DUTIES SPECIFIED. Each Lender irrevocably authorizes Agent to
take such action on such Lender's behalf and to exercise such powers, rights and
remedies hereunder and under the other Loan Documents as are specifically
delegated or granted to Agent by the terms hereof and thereof, together with
such powers, rights and remedies as are reasonably incidental thereto. Agent
shall have only those duties and responsibilities that are expressly specified
in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Agent may exercise such powers,
rights and remedies and perform such duties by or through its agents or
employees. Agent shall not have, by reason of this Agreement or any of the other
Loan Documents, a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender; and nothing
in this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, expressed or implied, is
intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon Agent any obligations in
respect of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents except as expressly
set forth herein or therein.

      B.   NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR CERTAIN MATTERS. Agent shall not be responsible
to any Lender for the execution, effectiveness, genuineness, validity,
enforceability, collectibility or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document or for any representations, warranties, recitals or statements
made herein or therein or made in any written or oral statements or in any
financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or any other
documents furnished or made by Agent to Lenders or by or on behalf of Company to
Agent or any Lender in connection with the Loan Documents and the transactions
contemplated thereby or for the financial condition or business affairs of
Company or any other Person liable for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall
Agent be required to ascertain or inquire as to the performance or observance of
any of the terms, conditions, provisions, covenants or agreements contained in
any of the Loan Documents or as to the use of the proceeds of the

                                       91
<PAGE>
 
Loans or the use of the Letters of Credit or as to the existence or possible
existence of any Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.  Anything
contained in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, Agent shall not
have any liability arising from confirmations of the amount of outstanding Loans
or the Letter of Credit Usage or the component amounts thereof.

     C.    EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.  Neither Agent nor any of its officers,
directors, employees or agents shall be liable to Lenders for any action taken
or omitted by Agent under or in connection with any of the Loan Documents except
to the extent caused by Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Agent
shall be entitled to refrain from any act or the taking of any action (including
the failure to take an action) in connection with this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents or from the exercise of any power, discretion or authority
vested in it hereunder or thereunder unless and until Agent shall have received
instructions in respect thereof from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as
may be required to give such instructions under subsection 10.6) and, upon
receipt of such instructions from Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders, as
the case may be), Agent shall be entitled to act or (where so instructed)
refrain from acting, or to exercise such power, discretion or authority, in
accordance with such instructions.  Without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing, (i) Agent shall be entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in
relying, upon any communication, instrument or document believed by it to be
genuine and correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper person or
persons, and shall be entitled to rely and shall be protected in relying on
opinions and judgments of attorneys (who may be attorneys for Company and its
Subsidiaries), accountants, experts and other professional advisors selected by
it; and (ii) no Lender shall have any right of action whatsoever against Agent
as a result of Agent acting or (where so instructed) refraining from acting
under this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents in accordance with the
instructions of Requisite Lenders (or such other Lenders as may be required to
give such instructions under subsection 10.6).

     D.    AGENT ENTITLED TO ACT AS LENDER. The agency hereby created shall in
no way impair or affect any of the rights and powers of, or impose any duties or
obligations upon, Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender hereunder. With
respect to its participation in the Loans and the Letters of Credit, Agent shall
have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Lender and may exercise
the same as though it were not performing the duties and functions delegated to
it hereunder, and the term "Lender" or "Lenders" or any similar term shall,
unless the context clearly otherwise indicates, include Agent in its individual
capacity. Agent and its Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to and
generally engage in any kind of banking, trust, financial advisory or other
business with Company or any of its Affiliates as if it were not performing the
duties specified herein, and may accept fees and other consideration from
Company for services in connection with this Agreement and otherwise without
having to account for the same to Lenders.

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<PAGE>
 
9.3   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPRAISAL OF
      ------------------------------------------------------------------
      CREDITWORTHINESS.
      ---------------- 

         Each Lender represents and warrants that it has made its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its Subsidiaries in connection with the making of the Loans and the issuance of
Letters of Credit hereunder and that it has made and shall continue to make its
own appraisal of the creditworthiness of Company and its Subsidiaries.  Agent
shall not have any duty or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing
basis, to make any such investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Lenders
or to provide any Lender with any credit or other information with respect
thereto, whether coming into its possession before the making of the Loans or at
any time or times thereafter, and Agent shall not have any responsibility with
respect to the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to
Lenders.

9.4   RIGHT TO INDEMNITY.
      ------------------ 

         Each Lender, in proportion to its Pro Rata Share, severally agrees to
indemnify Agent, to the extent that Agent shall not have been reimbursed by
Company, for and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses (including counsel fees
and disbursements) or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against Agent in exercising its powers,
rights and remedies or performing its duties hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents or otherwise in its capacity as Agent in any way relating to or
arising out of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents; provided that no
                                                           --------        
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting from Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct.  If any indemnity
furnished to Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of Agent, be
insufficient or become impaired, Agent may call for additional indemnity and
cease, or not commence, to do the acts indemnified against until such additional
indemnity is furnished.

9.5   SUCCESSOR AGENT.
      --------------- 

         Agent may resign at any time by giving 30 days' prior written notice
thereof to Lenders and Company, and Agent may be removed at any time with or
without cause by an instrument or concurrent instruments in writing delivered to
Company and Agent and signed by Requisite Lenders.  Upon any such notice of
resignation or any such removal, Requisite Lenders shall have the right, upon
five Business Days' notice to Company, to appoint a successor Agent.  Upon the
acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent, that
successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Agent and the
retiring or

                                       93
<PAGE>
 
removed Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations under this
Agreement.  After any retiring or removed Agent's resignation or removal
hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit
as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under
this Agreement.

9.6   COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT.
      ---------------------------- 

         Each Lender hereby further authorizes Agent, on behalf of and for the
benefit of Lenders, to enter into the Collateral Account Agreement as secured
party, and each Lender agrees to be bound by the terms of the Collateral Account
Agreement; provided that Agent shall not enter into or consent to any amendment,
           --------                                                             
modification, termination or waiver of any provision contained in the Collateral
Account Agreement without the prior consent of Requisite Lenders.  Anything
contained in any of the Loan Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, Company,
Agent and each Lender hereby agree that no Lender shall have any right
individually to realize upon any of the collateral under the Collateral Account
Agreement, it being understood and agreed that all powers, rights and remedies
under the Collateral Account Agreement may be exercised solely by Agent for the
benefit of Lenders in accordance with the terms thereof.


SECTION 10. MISCELLANEOUS

10.1  ASSIGNMENTS AND PARTICIPATIONS IN LOANS AND LETTERS OF CREDIT.
      ------------------------------------------------------------- 

      A.   GENERAL.  Subject to subsection 10.1B, each Lender shall have the
right at any time to (i) sell, assign or transfer to any Eligible Assignee, or
(ii) sell participations to any Person in, all or any part of its Commitment or
any Loan or Loans made by it or its Letters of Credit or participations therein
or any other interest herein or in any other Obligations owed to it; provided
                                                                     --------
that no such sale, assignment, transfer or participation shall, without the
consent of Company, require Company to file a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission or apply to qualify such sale, assignment,
transfer or participation under the securities laws of any state; provided,
                                                                  --------   
further that no such sale, assignment or transfer described in clause (i) above
- -------
shall be effective unless and until an Assignment Agreement effecting such sale,
assignment or transfer shall have been accepted by Agent and recorded in the
Register as provided in subsection 10.1B(ii); and provided, further that no such
                                                  --------  -------    
sale, assignment, transfer or participation of any Letter of Credit or any
participation therein may be made separately from a sale, assignment, transfer
or participation of a corresponding interest in the Commitment and the Loans of
the Lender effecting such sale, assignment, transfer or participation. Except as
otherwise provided in this subsection 10.1, no Lender shall, as between Company
and such Lender, be relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of
any sale, assignment or transfer of, or any granting of participations in, all
or any

                                       94
<PAGE>
 
part of its Commitment or the Loans, the Letters of Credit or participations
therein, or the other Obligations owed to such Lender.

      B.   ASSIGNMENTS.

           (i)  Amounts and Terms of Assignments. Each Commitment, Loan, Letter
                --------------------------------  
      of Credit or participation therein, or other Obligation may (a) be
      assigned in any amount to another Lender, or to an Affiliate of the
      assigning Lender or another Lender, with the giving of notice to Company
      and Agent or (b) be assigned in an aggregate amount of not less than
      $7,500,000 (or such lesser amount as shall constitute the aggregate amount
      of the Commitments, Loans, Letters of Credit and participations therein,
      and other Obligations of the Assigning Lender) to any other Eligible
      Assignee with the consent of Company and Agent (which consent of Company
      shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed). To the extent of any such
      assignment in accordance with either clause (a) or (b) above, the
      assigning Lender shall be relieved of its obligations with respect to its
      Commitment, Loans, Letters of Credit or participations therein, or other
      Obligations or the portion thereof so assigned. The parties to each such
      assignment shall execute and deliver to Agent, for its acceptance and
      recording in the Register, an Assignment Agreement, together with a
      processing fee of $2,500 and such forms, certificates or other evidence,
      if any, with respect to United States federal income tax withholding
      matters as the assignee under such Assignment Agreement may be required to
      deliver to Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a). Upon such execution,
      delivery, acceptance and recordation, from and after the effective date
      specified in such Assignment Agreement, (y) the assignee thereunder shall
      be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder
      have been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement, shall have
      the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder and (z) the assigning
      Lender thereunder shall, to the extent that rights and obligations
      hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant to such Assignment Agreement,
      relinquish its rights (other than any rights which survive the termination
      of this Agreement under subsection 10.9B) and be released from its
      obligations under this Agreement (and, in the case of an Assignment
      Agreement covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning Lender's
      rights and obligations under this Agreement, such Lender shall cease to be
      a party hereto; provided that, anything contained in any of the Loan
                      --------
      Documents to the contrary notwithstanding, if such Lender is the Issuing
      Lender with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit such Lender shall
      continue to have all rights and obligations of an Issuing Lender with
      respect to such Letters of Credit until the cancellation or expiration of
      such Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn
      thereunder). The Commitments hereunder shall be modified to reflect the
      Commitment of such assignee and any remaining Commitment of such assigning
      Lender and, if any such assignment occurs after the issuance of the Notes
      hereunder, the assigning

                                       95
<PAGE>
 
      Lender shall, upon the effectiveness of such assignment or as promptly
      thereafter as practicable, surrender its Note to Agent for cancellation,
      and thereupon new Notes shall be issued to the assignee and to the
      assigning Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit IV annexed hereto
                                                     ----------
      with appropriate insertions, to reflect the new Commitments of the
      assignee and the assigning Lender.

         (ii) Acceptance by Agent; Recordation in Register.  Upon its receipt of
              --------------------------------------------                      
      an Assignment Agreement executed by an assigning Lender and an assignee
      representing that it is an Eligible Assignee, together with the processing
      and recordation fee referred to in subsection 10.1B(i) and any forms,
      certificates or other evidence with respect to United States federal
      income tax withholding matters that such assignee may be required to
      deliver to Agent pursuant to subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), Agent shall, if
      Agent and Company have consented to the assignment evidenced thereby (in
      each case to the extent such consent is required pursuant to subsection
      10.1B(i)), (a) accept such Assignment Agreement by executing a counterpart
      thereof as provided therein (which acceptance shall evidence any required
      consent of Agent to such assignment), (b) record the information contained
      therein in the Register and (c) give prompt notice thereof to Company.
      Agent shall maintain a copy of each Assignment Agreement delivered to and
      accepted by it as provided in this subsection 10.1B(ii).

      C.   PARTICIPATIONS.  The holder of any participation, other than an
Affiliate of the Lender granting such participation, shall not be entitled to
require such Lender to take or omit to take any action hereunder except action
directly affecting (i) the extension of the regularly scheduled maturity of any
portion of the principal amount of or interest on any Loan allocated to such
participation or (ii) a reduction of the principal amount of or the rate of
interest payable on any Loan allocated to such participation, and all amounts
payable by Company hereunder (including amounts payable to such Lender pursuant
to subsections 2.6D, 2.7 and 3.6) shall be determined as if such Lender had not
sold such participation.  Company and each Lender hereby acknowledge and agree
that, solely for purposes of subsections 10.4 and 10.5, (a) any participation
will give rise to a direct obligation of Company to the participant and (b) the
participant shall be considered to be a "Lender".

      D.   ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANKS.  In addition to the assignments
and participations permitted under the foregoing provisions of this subsection
10.1, any Lender may assign and pledge all or any portion of its Loans, the
other Obligations owed to such Lender, and its Note to any Federal Reserve Bank
as collateral security pursuant to Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System and any operating circular issued by such Federal Reserve
Bank; provided that (i) no Lender shall, as between Company and such Lender, be
      --------                                                                 
relieved of any of its obligations hereunder as a result of any such assignment
and pledge and

                                       96
<PAGE>
 
(ii) in no event shall such Federal Reserve Bank be considered to be a "Lender"
or be entitled to require the assigning Lender to take or omit to take any
action hereunder.

      E.   INFORMATION.  Each Lender may furnish any information concerning
Company and its Subsidiaries in the possession of that Lender from time to time
to assignees and participants (including prospective assignees and
participants), subject to subsection 10.19.

      F.   REPRESENTATIONS OF LENDERS. Each Lender listed on the signature pages
hereof hereby represents and warrants (i) that it is an Eligible Assignee
described in clause (A) of the definition thereof; (ii) that it has experience
and expertise in the making of loans such as the Loans; and (iii) that it will
make its Loans for its own account in the ordinary course of its business and
without a view to distribution of such Loans within the meaning of the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal securities laws (it being
understood that, subject to the provisions of this subsection 10.1, the
disposition of such Loans or any interests therein shall at all times remain
within its exclusive control). Each Lender that becomes a party hereto pursuant
to an Assignment Agreement shall be deemed to agree that the representations and
warranties of such Lender contained in Section 2(c) of such Assignment Agreement
are incorporated herein by this reference.

10.2  EXPENSES.
      -------- 

         Whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be
consummated, Company agrees to pay promptly (i) all the actual and reasonable
costs and expenses of preparation of the Loan Documents and any consents,
amendments, waivers or other modifications thereto; (ii) all the costs of
furnishing all opinions by counsel for Company (including any opinions requested
by Lenders as to any legal matters arising hereunder) and of Company's
performance of and compliance with all agreements and conditions on its part to
be performed or complied with under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
including with respect to confirming compliance with environmental, insurance
and solvency requirements; (iii) the reasonable fees, expenses and disbursements
of counsel to Agent (including allocated costs of internal counsel) in
connection with the negotiation, preparation, execution and administration of
the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other modifications
thereto and any other documents or matters requested by Company; (iv) all other
actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by Agent in connection with
the syndication of the Commitments and the negotiation, preparation and
execution of the Loan Documents and any consents, amendments, waivers or other
modifications thereto and the transactions contemplated thereby; and (v) after
the occurrence of an Event of Default, all costs and expenses, including
reasonable attorneys' fees (including allocated costs of internal counsel) and
costs of settlement, incurred by Agent and Lenders in enforcing any Obligations
of or in collecting any payments due from Company hereunder or under the other
Loan

                                       97
<PAGE>
 
Documents by reason of such Event of Default or in connection with any
refinancing or restructuring of the credit arrangements provided under this
Agreement in the nature of a "work-out" or pursuant to any insolvency or
bankruptcy proceedings.

10.3  INDEMNITY.
      --------- 

         In addition to the payment of expenses pursuant to subsection 10.2,
whether or not the transactions contemplated hereby shall be consummated,
Company agrees to defend (subject to Indemnitees' selection of counsel),
indemnify, pay and hold harmless Agent and Lenders, and the officers, directors,
employees, agents and affiliates of Agent and Lenders (collectively called the
"INDEMNITEES"), from and against any and all Indemnified Liabilities (as
hereinafter defined); provided that Company shall not have any obligation to any
                      --------
Indemnitee hereunder with respect to any Indemnified Liabilities to the extent
such Indemnified Liabilities arise solely from the gross negligence or willful
misconduct of that Indemnitee as determined by a final judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction.

         As used herein, "INDEMNIFIED LIABILITIES" means, collectively, any and
all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages (including natural resource
damages), penalties, actions, judgments, suits, claims (including Environmental
Claims), costs (including the costs of any investigation, study, sampling,
testing, abatement, cleanup, removal, remediation or other response action
necessary to remove, remediate, clean up or abate any Hazardous Materials
Activity), expenses and disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for Indemnitees in
connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened by any Person, whether or not any such Indemnitee shall
be designated as a party or a potential party thereto, and any fees or expenses
incurred by Indemnitees in enforcing this indemnity), whether direct, indirect
or consequential and whether based on any federal, state or foreign laws,
statutes, rules or regulations (including securities and commercial laws,
statutes, rules or regulations and Environmental Laws), on common law or
equitable cause or on contract or otherwise, that may be imposed on, incurred
by, or asserted against any such Indemnitee, in any manner relating to or
arising out of (i) this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including Lenders' agreement to
make the Loans hereunder or the use or intended use of the proceeds thereof or
the issuance of Letters of Credit hereunder or the use or intended use of any
thereof, or any enforcement of any of the Loan Documents (including any sale of,
collection from, or other realization upon any of the Collateral under the
Collateral Account Agreement), (ii) the statements contained in the commitment
letter delivered by any Lender to Company with respect thereto, or (iii) any
Environmental Claim or any Hazardous Materials Activity relating to or arising
from, directly or indirectly, any past or present activity, operation, land
ownership, or practice of Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

                                       98
<PAGE>
 
         To the extent that the undertakings to defend, indemnify, pay and hold
harmless set forth in this subsection 10.3 may be unenforceable in whole or in
part because they are violative of any law or public policy, Company shall
contribute the maximum portion that it is permitted to pay and satisfy under
applicable law to the payment and satisfaction of all Indemnified Liabilities
incurred by Indemnitees or any of them.

10.4  SET-OFF.
      ------- 

         In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law
and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of any Event of Default each Lender is hereby authorized by
Company at any time or from time to time, without notice to Company or to any
other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to
appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including
Indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured,
but not including trust accounts) and any other Indebtedness at any time held or
owing by that Lender to or for the credit or the account of Company against and
on account of the obligations and liabilities of Company to that Lender under
this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations therein and the other
Loan Documents, including all claims of any nature or description arising out of
or connected with this Agreement, the Letters of Credit and participations
therein or any other Loan Document, irrespective of whether or not (i) that
Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or (ii) the principal of or the
interest on the Loans or any amounts in respect of the Letters of Credit or any
other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to
Section 8 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be
contingent or unmatured.

10.5  RATABLE SHARING.
      --------------- 

         Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if any of them shall,
whether by voluntary payment (other than a voluntary prepayment of Loans made
and applied in accordance with the terms of this Agreement), by realization upon
security, through the exercise of any right of set-off or banker's lien, by
counterclaim or cross action or by the enforcement of any right under the Loan
Documents or otherwise, or as adequate protection of a deposit treated as cash
collateral under the Bankruptcy Code, receive payment or reduction of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of principal, interest, amounts payable in
respect of Letters of Credit, fees and other amounts then due and owing to that
Lender hereunder or under the other Loan Documents (collectively, the "AGGREGATE
AMOUNTS DUE" to such Lender) which is greater than the proportion received by
any other Lender in respect of the Aggregate Amounts Due to such other Lender,
then the Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall (i) notify
Agent and each other Lender of the receipt of such payment and (ii) apply a
portion of such payment to purchase participations (which it

                                       99
<PAGE>
 
shall be deemed to have purchased from each seller of a participation
simultaneously upon the receipt by such seller of its portion of such payment)
in the Aggregate Amounts Due to the other Lenders so that all such recoveries of
Aggregate Amounts Due shall be shared by all Lenders in proportion to the
Aggregate Amounts Due to them; provided that if all or part of such
                               --------                            
proportionately greater payment received by such purchasing Lender is thereafter
recovered from such Lender upon the bankruptcy or reorganization of Company or
otherwise, those purchases shall be rescinded and the purchase prices paid for
such participations shall be returned to such purchasing Lender ratably to the
extent of such recovery, but without interest.  Company expressly consents to
the foregoing arrangement and agrees that any holder of a participation so
purchased may exercise any and all rights of banker's lien, set-off or
counterclaim with respect to any and all monies owing by Company to that holder
with respect thereto as fully as if that holder were owed the amount of the
participation held by that holder.

10.6  AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS.
      ---------------------- 

         No amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement or of the Notes, and no consent to any departure by Company
therefrom, shall in any event be effective without the written concurrence of
Requisite Lenders; provided that any such amendment, modification, termination,
                   --------                                                    
waiver or consent which: increases the amount of any of the Commitments or
reduces the principal amount of any of the Loans; increases the maximum amount
of Letters of Credit, changes in any manner the definition of "Pro Rata Share"
or the definition of "Requisite Lenders"; changes in any manner any provision of
this Agreement which, by its terms, expressly requires the approval or
concurrence of all Lenders; postpones the scheduled final maturity date of any
of the Loans; postpones the date or reduces the amount of any scheduled
reduction of the Commitments; postpones the date on which any interest or any
fees are payable; decreases the interest rate borne by any of the Loans (other
than any waiver of any increase in the interest rate applicable to any of the
Loans pursuant to subsection 2.2E) or the amount of any fees payable hereunder;
increases the maximum duration of Interest Periods permitted hereunder; reduces
the amount or postpones the due date of any amount payable in respect of, or
extends the required expiration date of, any Letter of Credit; changes in any
manner the obligations of Lenders relating to the purchase of participations in
Letters of Credit; or changes in any manner the provisions contained in
subsection 8.1 or this subsection 10.6 shall be effective only if evidenced by a
writing signed by or on behalf of all Lenders.  In addition, (i) any amendment,
modification, termination or waiver of any of the provisions contained in
Section 4 shall be effective only if evidenced by a writing signed by or on
behalf of Agent and Requisite Lenders, (ii) no amendment, modification,
termination or waiver of any provision of any Note shall be effective without
the written concurrence of the Lender which is the holder of that Note, and
(iii) no amendment, modification, termination or waiver of any provision of
Section 9 or of any other provision of this Agreement which, by its terms,
expressly requires the

                                      100
<PAGE>
 
approval or concurrence of Agent shall be effective without the written
concurrence of Agent.  Agent may, but shall have no obligation to, with the
concurrence of any Lender, execute amendments, modifications, waivers or
consents on behalf of that Lender.  Any waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was
given.  No notice to or demand on Company in any case shall entitle Company to
any other or further notice or demand in similar or other circumstances.  Any
amendment, modification, termination, waiver or consent effected in accordance
with this subsection 10.6 shall be binding upon each Lender at the time
outstanding, each future Lender and, if signed by Company, on Company.

10.7  INDEPENDENCE OF COVENANTS.
      ------------------------- 

         All covenants hereunder shall be given independent effect so that if a
particular action or condition is not permitted by any of such covenants, the
fact that it would be permitted by an exception to, or would otherwise be within
the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of an Event
of Default or Potential Event of Default if such action is taken or condition
exists.

10.8  NOTICES.
      ------- 

         Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail
or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in
person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three
Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid
and properly addressed; provided that notices to Agent shall not be effective
                        --------                                             
until received.  For the purposes hereof, the address of each party hereto shall
be as set forth under such party's name on the signature pages hereof or (i) as
to Company and Agent, such other address as shall be designated by such Person
in a written notice delivered to the other parties hereto and (ii) as to each
other party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice delivered to Agent.

10.9  SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.
      ------------------------------------------------------ 

      A.   All representations, warranties and agreements made herein shall
survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making of the Loans
and the issuance of the Letters of Credit hereunder.

      B.   Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or implied by law to the
contrary, the agreements of Company set forth in subsections 2.6D, 2.7, 3.5A,
3.6, 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 and the agreements of Lenders set forth in subsections
9.2C, 9.4 and 10.5 shall survive the payment of the Loans, the cancellation or
expiration of the

                                      101
<PAGE>
 
Letters of Credit and the reimbursement of any amounts drawn thereunder, and the
termination of this Agreement.

10.10  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.
       ----------------------------------------------------- 

         No failure or delay on the part of Agent or any Lender in the exercise
of any power, right or privilege hereunder or under any other Loan Document
shall impair such power, right or privilege or be construed to be a waiver of
any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any single or partial exercise of
any such power, right or privilege preclude other or further exercise thereof or
of any other power, right or privilege.  All rights and remedies existing under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents are cumulative to, and not exclusive
of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

10.11  MARSHALLING; PAYMENTS SET ASIDE.
       ------------------------------- 

         Neither Agent nor any Lender shall be under any obligation to marshal
any assets in favor of Company or any other party or against or in payment of
any or all of the Obligations.  To the extent that Company makes a payment or
payments to Agent or Lenders (or to Agent for the benefit of Lenders), or Agent
or Lenders enforce any security interests or exercise their rights of setoff,
and such payment or payments or the proceeds of such enforcement or setoff or
any part thereof are subsequently invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or
preferential, set aside and/or required to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or
any other party under any bankruptcy law, any other state or federal law, common
law or any equitable cause, then, to the extent of such recovery, the obligation
or part thereof originally intended to be satisfied, and all Liens, rights and
remedies therefor or related thereto, shall be revived and continued in full
force and effect as if such payment or payments had not been made or such
enforcement or setoff had not occurred.

10.12  SEVERABILITY.
       ------------ 

         In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement or the
Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the
validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

10.13  OBLIGATIONS SEVERAL; INDEPENDENT NATURE OF LENDERS' RIGHTS.
       ---------------------------------------------------------- 

         The obligations of Lenders hereunder are several and no Lender shall be
responsible for the obligations or Commitment of any other Lender hereunder.
Nothing contained herein or in any other Loan Document, and no action taken by
Lenders pursuant hereto or thereto, shall be deemed to constitute Lenders as a

                                      102
<PAGE>
 
partnership, an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The
amounts payable at any time hereunder to each Lender shall be a separate and
independent debt, and each Lender shall be entitled to protect and enforce its
rights arising out of this Agreement and it shall not be necessary for any other
Lender to be joined as an additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

10.14  HEADINGS.
       -------- 

         Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein
for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

10.15  APPLICABLE LAW.
       -------------- 

         THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING SECTION 1646.5 OF THE
CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.

10.16  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.
       ---------------------- 

         This Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and the successors and assigns of Lenders (it being understood that
Lenders' rights of assignment are subject to subsection 10.1).  Neither
Company's rights or obligations hereunder nor any interest therein may be
assigned or delegated by Company without the prior written consent of all
Lenders.

10.17  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.
       ---------------------------------------------- 

         ALL JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST COMPANY ARISING OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY OBLIGATIONS
THEREUNDER, MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
JURISDICTION IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY AND CITY OF LOS ANGELES.  BY
EXECUTING AND DELIVERING THIS AGREEMENT, COMPANY, FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION
WITH ITS PROPERTIES, IRREVOCABLY

         (I)   ACCEPTS GENERALLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY THE NONEXCLUSIVE
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF SUCH COURTS;

         (II)  WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS;

                                      103
<PAGE>
 
         (III) AGREES THAT SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDING IN ANY
    SUCH COURT MAY BE MADE BY REGISTERED OR CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT
    REQUESTED, TO COMPANY AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION
    10.8;

         (IV)  AGREES THAT SERVICE AS PROVIDED IN CLAUSE (III) ABOVE IS
    SUFFICIENT TO CONFER PERSONAL JURISDICTION OVER COMPANY IN ANY SUCH
    PROCEEDING IN ANY SUCH COURT, AND OTHERWISE CONSTITUTES EFFECTIVE AND
    BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT;

         (V)   AGREES THAT LENDERS RETAIN THE RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY
    OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST COMPANY IN THE
    COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION; AND

         (VI)  AGREES THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS SUBSECTION 10.17 RELATING TO
    JURISDICTION AND VENUE SHALL BE BINDING AND ENFORCEABLE TO THE FULLEST
    EXTENT PERMISSIBLE UNDER CALIFORNIA CODE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE SECTION 410.40
    OR OTHERWISE.

10.18  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.
       -------------------- 

         EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HEREBY AGREES TO WAIVE ITS
RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION BASED UPON OR
ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS
BETWEEN THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THIS LOAN TRANSACTION OR THE
LENDER/BORROWER RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  The scope of this
waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be
filed in any court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction,
including contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims and all other
common law and statutory claims.  Each party hereto acknowledges that this
waiver is a material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each
has already relied on this waiver in entering into this Agreement, and that each
will continue to rely on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Each
party hereto further warrants and represents that it has reviewed this waiver
with its legal counsel and that it knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury
trial rights following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS
IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING
(OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SUBSECTION
10.18 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO),

                                      104
<PAGE>
 
AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS
OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY
OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE LOANS MADE HEREUNDER.  In the
event of litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial
by the court.

10.19  CONFIDENTIALITY.
       --------------- 

         Each Lender shall hold all non-public information obtained pursuant to
the requirements of this Agreement which has been identified as confidential by
Company in accordance with such Lender's customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this nature and in accordance with safe and sound
banking practices, it being understood and agreed by Company that in any event a
Lender may make disclosures to Affiliates of such Lender or disclosures
reasonably required by any bona fide assignee, transferee or participant in
connection with the contemplated assignment or transfer by such Lender of any
Loans or any participations therein or disclosures required or requested by any
governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process;
provided that, unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court order,
- --------                                                                       
each Lender shall notify Company of any request by any governmental agency or
representative thereof (other than any such request in connection with any
examination of the financial condition of such Lender by such governmental
agency) for disclosure of any such non-public information prior to disclosure of
such information; and provided, further that in no event shall any Lender be
                      --------  -------                                     
obligated or required to return any materials furnished by Company or any of its
Subsidiaries.

10.20  TERMINATION OF FOREIGN SUBSIDIARY GUARANTIES AND SUBORDINATION
       --------------------------------------------------------------
AGREEMENTS.
- ----------

         In the event that the holders of 66-2/3% or more but less than 100% of
the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes shall have executed and
delivered the Senior Note Waiver prior to the Closing Date and Subsidiary
Guaranties and Subsidiary Subordination Agreements shall have been executed and
delivered by the Group 2 Guarantors (as such term is defined in the Senior Note
Waiver), the Subsidiary Guaranties and the Subsidiary Subordination Agreements
of such Group 2 Guarantors shall terminate (simultaneously with respect to the
Bank Parties (as such term is defined in each of the Guaranties) and the holders
of the Senior Notes) upon the receipt by the Company of Senior Note Waivers
executed by the holders of 100% of the Senior Notes and thereafter neither the
holders of the Senior Notes nor the Bank Parties (as such term is defined in
each of the Guaranties) shall have any further rights under the Subsidiary
Guaranties or the Subsidiary Subordination Agreements executed and delivered by
such Group 2 Guarantors.  If the same occurs after the Closing Date, the Company
shall promptly notify the Agent of the receipt of Senior Note Waivers from the
holders of 100% of the Senior Notes

                                      105
<PAGE>
 
and shall furnish to the Agent copies of all such Senior Note Waivers not
previously delivered to the Agent.

10.21  COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.
       --------------------------- 

         This Agreement and any amendments, waivers, consents or supplements
hereto or in connection herewith may be executed in any number of counterparts
and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.  This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by each of the parties hereto and receipt by Company and
Agent of written or telephonic notification of such execution and authorization
of delivery thereof.



                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      106
<PAGE>
 
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

         COMPANY:

                        VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                [SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
                        By:   --------------------------------------
                        Title: Vice President - Finance
                              --------------------------------------


                        Notice Address:

                             743 North Eckhoff Street
                             Orange, CA 92868
                             Attention: Chief Financial Officer



         LENDERS:

                        UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
                        as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Agent

                                [SIGNATURE ILLEGIBLE]
                        By:   ---------------------------------------
                        Title: V.P.
                              --------------------------------------- 

                        Notice Address:

                             445 South Figueroa Street
                             16th Floor
                             Los Angeles, CA 90071
                             Attention: Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                        MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK, as a Lender


                        By: /s/ Robert L. Barrett Jr
                              ---------------------------------------
                        Title:  ROBERT L. BARRETT VICE PRESIDENT


                        Notice Address:

                             60 Wall Street
                             New York, NY 10260
                             Attention: Robert Barrett

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                        THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as a Lender



                        By:      /s/ R. Potter
                              ---------------------------------------
                        Title: MANAGING DIRECTOR
                              ---------------------------------------

                        Notice Address:

                             707 Travis Street, 5th Floor
                             Houston, TX  77002
                             Attention: Darl Petty
 
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 2.1

                   LENDERS' COMMITMENTS AND PRO RATA SHARES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Pro Rata      
 Lender                             Commitment               Share    
- ---------                           ----------            ------------
<S>                                 <C>                   <C>         
Union Bank of California, N.A.      $25,000,000           38.46153846%
The Chase Manhattan Bank             20,000,000           30.76923077%
Morgan Guaranty Trust                                                 
  Company of New York                20,000,000           30.76923077%
                                    -----------           ----------- 
TOTAL                               $65,000,000                   100% 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Schedule 5.1
                                                                    Page 1 of 2

                   SUBSIDIARIES OF VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                   ALL 100% OWNED EXCEPT FOR VARCO U.K. LTD.
                 WHICH IS 100% OWNED BY RIG TECHNOLOGY LIMITED

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
DOMESTIC SUBSIDIARIES                     JURISDICTION OF                                              
GUARANTORS                                 INCORPORATION                 ADDRESS                        
- ----------                                 -------------                 -------                       
<S>                                       <C>                            <C>                           
Best Industries, Inc.                         Texas                      12950 West Little York        
                                                                         Houston Tx., 77041            
                                                                                                       
Martin-Decker TOTCO, Inc.                     Texas                      1200 Cypress Creek Road       
                                                                         Cedar Park, TX., 78613        
                                                                                                       
Varco Shaffer, Inc.                           Texas                      12950 West Little York        
                                                                         Houston Tx., 77041            

FOREIGN                                                                                                
- -------                                                                                                
                                                                                                       
Rig Technology Limited                        United Kingdom             South College Street          
                                                                         Aberdeen, Scotland            
                                                                         AB12LP                        
                                                                                                       
Varco International Inc Pte Ltd               Singapore                  No. 8 Sixth LokYang           
                                                                         Road Jurong                   
                                                                         Singapore 2262                
                                                                                                       
Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V.                       The Netherlands            Nijverheidsweg 45             
                                                                         4879 AP Etten-Leur            
                                                                         The Netherlands               
                                                                                                       
Varco (U.K) Limited                           United Kingdom             Forties Road, Montrose        
                                                                         Angus, Scotland               
                                                                                                       
Varco BJ FSC Inc.                             Barbados                   743 N. Eckhoff Street         
                                                                         Orange, CA 92868              
                                                                                                       
Varco International (Canada) Ltd.             Alberta, Canada            Bay 15-2916 5th Ave.          
                                                                         N.E. Calgary, Alberta         
                                                                         T2A 6M7 Canada                
                                                                                                       
Varco International De Venezuela C.A.         Venezula                   1200 Cypress Creek Road       
                                                                         Cedar Park, Tx 78613           
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Schedule 5.1 
                                                                   Page 2 of 2

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                           JURISDICTION OF
NON-MATERIAL SUBSIDIARIES                  INCORPORATION          ADDRESS
- -------------------------                  -------------          -------
<S>                                        <C>                    <C>    
Varco Marine Tools International, Inc.     Texas                  12950 West Little York            
                                                                  Houston, TX 77041                
                                                                                                   
Varco-Disc                                 California             743 N. Eckhoff Street            
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868                 
                                                                                                   
Best Disc                                  Texas                  12950 West Little York          
                                                                  Houston, TX 77041                
                                                                                                   
Varco Eastern, Inc.                        California             743 N. Eckhoff Street            
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868                  
                                                                                                 
Varco International Finance N.V.           Netherlands Antilles   P.O. Box 507                   
                                                                  Curacao                         
                                                                                                 
Varco Singapore, Ltd.                      California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Varco Middle East                          California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Varco Electronics, Inc.                    California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Varco Electronics Disc                     California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Varco De Mexico Holdings Inc.              California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Varco Do Brazil Ltda.                      Brazil                 743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868               
                                                                                                 
Metrox, Inc.                               California             743 N. Eckhoff Street          
                                                                  Orange, CA 92868                               
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 5.8

                              MATERIAL CONTRACTS

Note Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1992 between Varco International, Inc. and 
the Purchasers named in Schedule 1 thereto, as amended by First Amendment to
Note Agreement, dated as of November 12, 1992; Waiver and Second Amendment to
Note Agreement, dated as of February 25, 1993; and Third Amendment and Waiver,
dated as of March 8, 1995.

Credit Agreement, dated as of February 25, 1993 among Varco International, Inc.,
Citicorp USA, Inc. and Citibank, N.A., as amended by First Amendment, dated as 
of August 3, 1993; Second Amendment, dated as of September 23, 1993; Third 
Amendment dated as of December 1, 1993; Forth Amendment dated as of May 12, 
1994; Fifth Amendment and Waiver dated as of October 31, 1994; Sixth Amendment
dated as of March 17, 1995; Seventh Amendment dated as of December 31, 1995 and 
Eighth Amendment dated as of June 9, 1997.

Lease dated March 7, 1975, between the Company and Walter B. Reinhold; G.J. 
Becker and Ruth Becker, trustees of The G.J. Becker Family Trust; Howard P. 
Lorenz, executor of the estate of Charlotte Lorenz, deceased; B. Reinhold Jr., 
and Mary E. Reinhold, trustees of The Reinhold Trust; Howard P. Lorenz, trustee 
of The Charlotte L. Tedhams Irrevocable Trust; and Leo J. Pircher, as amended by
amendments dated as of May 1, 1975, January 1, 1982, January 1, 1984, February 
8, 1985, April 12, 1985, and January 11, 1996.

Standard Industrial Lease-Net dated September 29, 1988, between the Company and 
Walter B. Reinhold; G.J. Becker and Ruth Becker, trustees of The G.J. Becker
Family Trust. Howard P. Lorenz, executor of the estate of Charlotte Lorenz,
deceased; Baldwin T. Reinhold and Carol Anne Reinhold, trustees of The Reinhold
Family Trust and Leo J. Pircher, as amended by First Amendment dated as of
January 11, 1996.

Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 10, 1992, between the Company and
Baroid Corporation, as amended by amendments dated May 28, 1992, June 30, 1992,
July 15, 1992 and two amendments dated July 16, 1992.

Environmental Remediation Agreement between the Company and Bariod Corporation 
dated July 16, 1992.
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 7.1

                         CERTAIN EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

1.   Debt under credit facility granted by ABN AMRO Bank N.V. to Varco BJ Oil 
Tools B.V. in the amount of 1,500,000 Dutch Guilders.

2.   Guarantee by Company of Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V.'s obligations under item 1 
above.

3.   Debt under credit facility granted by F. Van Lanschot Bankiers N.V. to 
Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V. in the amount of 1,500,000 Dutch Guilders.

4.   Guarantee by Company of Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V.'s obligations under item 3 
above.

5.   Debt under credit facility granted by Clydesdale Bank PLC to Varco (U.K.) 
Limited:

          Overdraft facility:                20,000 Pounds Sterling

          Guarantees by Bank                 1616 Pounds Sterling

          Guarantee/Letter of 
           Credit facility:                  218,500 Pounds Sterling

          BACS facility:                     165,000 Pounds Sterling

          Access company card
           scheme                            137,500 Pounds Sterling

6.   Debt relating to certain Letters of Credits issued by Royal Bank of 
Scotland plc on behalf of Rig Technology Ltd. in the face amount of 22,777 Pound
Sterling

7.   Existing Letters of Credit (as defined).

8.   8.95% Senior Notes due June 30, 1999 in the aggregate unpaid principal 
amount of $30,000,000.

<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 7.2

                            CERTAIN EXISTING LIENS

1.   Liens granted by Varco BJ Oil Tools N.V. to secure a credit facility by ABN
AMRO Bank N.V. (Item 1 of Schedule 7.1).

2.   Liens granted by Varco BJ Oil Tools N.V. to secure a credit facility by F.
Van Lanschot Bankiers N.V. (Item 3 Schedule 7.1).

3.   Letter of set-off dated March 22, 1990 from Varco (U.K.) Limited to 
Clydesdale Bank PLC.
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 7.3 

                         CERTAIN EXISTING INVESTMENTS

Varco Al-Mansoori Services
Company(VMS), Limited Liability Company*              $361,500
 
Herramientas Varco, S.A. de C.V.*                     $134,600

Dawson Enterprises dba Cavins Oil Well Tools**        $2,546,000

*49% Joint Ventures
** Deferred Purchase Price Under Purchase Agreement

<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE 7.4

                   CERTAIN EXISTING CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS 

1.   Guarantee by Company of Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V.'s obligations under item 1 
     above.

2.   Guarantee by Company of Varco BJ Oil Tools B.V.'s obligations under item 3
     above.

3.   Letters of Credits issued by Royal Bank of Scotland plc on behalf of Rig
     Technology Ltd. in the face amount of 22,777 Pound Sterling.
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT I

                         [FORM OF NOTICE OF BORROWING]

                              NOTICE OF BORROWING


         Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the date hereof (said Credit
Agreement, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being
used herein as therein defined), by and among Varco International, Inc., a
California corporation ("COMPANY"), the financial institutions listed therein as
Lenders ("LENDERS"), and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent ("AGENT"),
this represents Company's request to borrow from Lenders, in accordance with
their applicable Pro Rata Shares, as follows:

    1.  Date of borrowing:  ___________________, _________
        -----------------                                 

    2.  Amount of borrowing:  $___________________
        -------------------                       
    3.  Interest rate option: [_] a.  Base Rate Loans
                                      ---------------------
                              [_] b.  LIBOR Rate Loans with an initial Interest
                                      Period of [two weeks] [one month] [two
                                      months] [three months] [six months]

The proceeds of such Loans are to be deposited in Company's account at Agent.

         The undersigned officer, to the best of his or her knowledge, and
Company certify that the following statements contained in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii), and if on the date hereof the Senior Notes are outstanding clause (iv),
are true and correct:

         (i) The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
    Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all
    material respects on and as of the date hereof to the same extent as though
    made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations
    and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
    representations and warranties were true, correct and complete in all
    material respects on and as of such earlier date;

         (ii) No event has occurred and is continuing or would result from the
    consummation of the borrowing contemplated hereby that would constitute an
    Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default;

                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
         (iii)Company has performed in all material respects all agreements
    and satisfied all conditions which the Credit Agreement provides shall be
    performed or satisfied by it on or before the date hereof; and

         (iv) After giving effect to the making of the requested Loan, and after
    giving effect to the application of proceeds of such Loan, (i) Consolidated
    Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) will not exceed 50%
    of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined in the Senior Note
    Agreement) and (ii) the pro forma ratio of Consolidated Income Available for
    Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) to Fixed Charges (as
    defined in the Senior Note Agreement) for the four consecutive Fiscal
    Quarters immediately preceding such date will be not less than 2.5 to 1.0.


DATED: ____________________        VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                   By: __________________________
                                   Title: ________________________

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT II

                  [FORM OF NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION]

                       NOTICE OF CONVERSION/CONTINUATION


         Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the date hereof (said Credit
Agreement, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being
used herein as therein defined), by and among Varco International, Inc., a
California corporation ("COMPANY"), the financial institutions listed therein as
Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent, this represents Company's
request to convert or continue Loans as follows:

    1.   Date of conversion/continuation:  __________________, _______
         -------------------------------                              

    2.   Amount of Loans being converted/continued:  $___________________
         -----------------------------------------                       

    3.   Nature of conversion/continuation:
         --------------------------------- 
              [_]  a.  Conversion of Base Rate Loans to LIBOR Rate Loans
              [_]  b.  Conversion of LIBOR Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans
              [_]  c.  Continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans as such

    4.   If Loans are being continued as or converted to LIBOR Rate Loans, the
         duration of the new Interest Period that commences on the
         conversion/continuation date:   [two weeks] [one month] [two months]
         [three months] [six months]

         In the case of a conversion to or continuation of LIBOR Rate Loans, the
undersigned officer, to the best of his or her knowledge, and Company certify
that no Event of Default or Potential Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing under the Credit Agreement.

DATED: _____________________       VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                   By: __________________________
                                   Title: ________________________

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT III

               [FORM OF NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT]

                    NOTICE OF ISSUANCE OF LETTER OF CREDIT

         Pursuant to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the date hereof (said Credit
Agreement, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise modified, being the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being
used herein as therein defined), by and among Varco International, Inc., a
California corporation ("COMPANY"), the financial institutions listed therein as
Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent ("AGENT"), this represents
Company's request for the issuance of a Letter of Credit by Agent as follows:

    1.   Date of issuance of Letter of Credit:  ________________, ________
         ------------------------------------                             

    2.   Type of Letter of Credit:  [_]  a.  Commercial Letter of Credit
         ------------------------                                     
                                    [_]  b.  Standby Letter of Credit

    3.   Face amount of Letter of Credit:  $________________________
         -------------------------------                            

    4.   Expiration date of Letter of Credit:  ________________, ________
         -----------------------------------                             

    5.   Name and address of beneficiary:
         ------------------------------- 
                   ___________________________________________
                   ___________________________________________
                   ___________________________________________
                   ___________________________________________

    6.   Attached hereto is the Issuing Lender's standard application for a
         letter of credit and the executed signature page to such application
         (it being understood that unless otherwise agreed between Company and
         the Issuing Lender, the provisions set forth on the reverse side of
         such standard application are not applicable).

         The undersigned officer, to the best of his or her knowledge, and
Company certify that the following statements contained in clauses (i), (ii),
(iii), and if on the date hereof the Senior Notes are outstanding clause (iv),
are true and correct:

         (i)  The representations and warranties contained in the Credit
    Agreement and the other Loan Documents are true, correct and complete in all
    material respects on and as of the date hereof to the same extent as though
    made on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent such representations
    and warranties specifically relate to an earlier date, in which case such
    representations

                                     III-1
<PAGE>
 
    and warranties were true, correct and complete in all material respects on
    and as of such earlier date;

         (ii) No event has occurred and is continuing or would result from the
    issuance of the Letter of Credit contemplated hereby that would constitute
    an Event of Default or a Potential Event of Default;

         (iii)Company has performed in all material respects all agreements
    and satisfied all conditions which the Credit Agreement provides shall be
    performed or satisfied by it on or before the date hereof; and

         (iv) After giving effect to the issuance of the requested Letter of
    Credit, (i) Consolidated Indebtedness (as defined in the Senior Note
    Agreement) will not exceed 50% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as
    defined in the Senior Note Agreement) and (ii) the pro forma ratio of
    Consolidated Income Available for Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior
    Note Agreement) to Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement)
    for the four consecutive Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such date
    will be not less than 2.5 to 1.0.


DATED: ____________________        VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                   By: __________________________
                                   Title: ________________________

                                     III-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT IV

                                [FORM OF NOTE]

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                       PROMISSORY NOTE DUE JUNE 30, 2004

$[1]                                                                         [2]
                                                                  {Closing Date}

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California corporation
("COMPANY"), promises to pay to [3] ("PAYEE) or its registered assigns, on or
before ____________, 199_, the lesser of (x) [4] ($[1]) and (y) the unpaid
principal amount of all advances made by Payee to Company as Loans under the
Credit Agreement referred to below.

         Company also promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal amount
hereof, from the date hereof until paid in full, at the rates and at the times
which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of that certain
Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 by and among Company, the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as
Agent (said Credit Agreement, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

         This Note is one of Company's "Notes" in the aggregate principal amount
of $[5] and is issued pursuant to and entitled to the benefits of the Credit
Agreement, to which reference is hereby made for a more complete statement of
the terms and conditions under which the Loans evidenced hereby were made and
are to be repaid.

         All payments of principal and interest in respect of this Note shall be
made in lawful money of the United States of America in same day funds at the
Funding and Payment Office or at such other place as shall be designated in
writing for such purpose

[1] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in numbers.
[2] Insert place of delivery of Note.
[3] Insert Lender's name in capital letters.
[4] Insert amount of Lender's Commitment in words.
[5] Insert aggregate amount of all Commitments in numbers.

                                     IV-1
<PAGE>
 
in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.  Unless and until an
Assignment Agreement effecting the assignment or transfer of this Note shall
have been accepted by Agent and recorded in the Register as provided in
subsection 10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement, Company and Agent shall be
entitled to deem and treat Payee as the owner and holder of this Note and the
Loans evidenced hereby.  Payee hereby agrees, by its acceptance hereof, that
before disposing of this Note or any part hereof it will make a notation hereon
of all Loans evidenced by this Note and all principal payments previously made
hereunder and of the date to which interest hereon has been paid; provided,
                                                                  -------- 
however, that the failure to make a notation of any payment made on this Note
- -------                                                                      
shall not limit or otherwise affect the obligations of Company hereunder with
respect to payments of principal of or interest on this Note.

         Whenever any payment on this Note shall be stated to be due on a day
which is not a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding
Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in the computation of
the payment of interest on this Note.

         This Note is subject to mandatory prepayment as provided in subsection
2.4B(iii) of the Credit Agreement and to prepayment at the option of Company as
provided in subsection 2.4B(i) of the Credit Agreement.

         THIS NOTE AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF COMPANY AND PAYEE HEREUNDER
SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH,
THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING SECTION 1646.5 OF THE
CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS
PRINCIPLES.

         Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the unpaid balance of the
principal amount of this Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest
thereon, may become, or may be declared to be, due and payable in the manner,
upon the conditions and with the effect provided in the Credit Agreement.

         The terms of this Note are subject to amendment only in the manner
provided in the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is subject to restrictions on transfer or assignment as
provided in subsections 10.1 and 10.16 of the Credit Agreement.

         No reference herein to the Credit Agreement and no provision of this
Note or the Credit Agreement shall alter or impair the obligations of Company,
which are absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and interest on
this Note at the place, at the respective times, and in the currency herein
prescribed.

                                     IV-2
<PAGE>
 
         Company promises to pay all costs and expenses, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, all as provided in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement,
incurred in the collection and enforcement of this Note.  Company and any
endorsers of this Note hereby consent to renewals and extensions of time at or
after the maturity hereof, without notice, and hereby waive diligence,
presentment, protest, demand and notice of every kind and, to the full extent
permitted by law, the right to plead any statute of limitations as a defense to
any demand hereunder.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Company has caused this Note to be duly executed
and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of the date and at the
place first written above.

                                  VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                  By: __________________________
                                  Title: ________________________

                                     IV-3
<PAGE>
 
                                 TRANSACTIONS
                                      ON
                                      NOTE


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Outstanding
         Type of   Amount of    Amount of      Principal
        Loan Made  Loan Made  Principal Paid    Balance    Notation
 Date   This Date  This Date    This Date      This Date   Made By
- ------  ---------  ---------  --------------  -----------  --------
<S>     <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>          <C>  
</TABLE>

                                     IV-4
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT V

                       [FORM OF COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE]

                            COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

         (1) I am the duly elected [Title] of Varco International, Inc., a
    California corporation ("COMPANY");

         (2) I have reviewed the terms of that certain Credit Agreement dated
    as of June 27, 1997, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified to the
    date hereof (said Credit Agreement, as so amended, supplemented or otherwise
    modified, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not
    otherwise defined in this Certificate (including Attachment No. 1 annexed
    hereto and made a part hereof) being used in this Certificate as therein
    defined), by and among Company, the financial institutions listed therein as
    Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent, and the terms of the
    other Loan Documents, and I have made, or have caused to be made under my
    supervision, a review in reasonable detail of the transactions and condition
    of Company and its Subsidiaries during the accounting period covered by the
    attached financial statements;

         (3) The examination described in paragraph (2) above did not disclose,
    and I have no knowledge of, the existence of any condition or event which
    constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default during or at
    the end of the accounting period covered by the attached financial
    statements or as of the date of this Certificate[, except as set forth
    below].

         [Set forth [below] [in a separate attachment to this Certificate] are
all exceptions to paragraph (3) above listing, in detail, the nature of the
condition or event, the period during which it has existed and the action which
Company has taken, is taking, or proposes to take with respect to each such
condition or event:

________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________]
                                                                               
                                      V-1
<PAGE>
 
         (4)   Until the Senior Notes have been paid in full, the following
    statement shall be true and correct and Company shall be deemed to represent
    and warrant as of such Funding Date as follows; and

               After giving effect to the making of each requested Loan or the
         issuance of each requested Letter of Credit, and after giving effect to
         the application of proceeds of such Loan, (i) Consolidated Indebtedness
         (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) does not exceed 50% of
         Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined in the Senior Note
         Agreement) and (ii) the pro forma ratio of Consolidated Income
         Available for Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement)
         to Fixed Charges (as defined in the Senior Note Agreement) for the four
         consecutive Fiscal Quarters immediately preceding such date is not less
         than 2.5 to 1.0.

         The foregoing certifications, together with the computations set forth
in Attachment No. 1 annexed hereto and made a part hereof and the financial
statements delivered with this Certificate in support hereof, are made and
delivered this __________ day of _____________, [199_][200_] pursuant to
subsection 6.1(iv) of the Credit Agreement.

                                  VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                  By: __________________________
                                  Title: ________________________


                                  By: __________________________
                                  Title: ________________________

                                      V-2
<PAGE>
 
                               ATTACHMENT NO. 1
                           TO COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


         This Attachment No. 1 is attached to and made a part of a Compliance
Certificate dated as of ____________, [199_] [200_] and pertains to the period
from ____________, [199_] [200_] to ____________, [199_] [200_]. Subsection
references herein relate to subsections of the Credit Agreement.

A.   INDEBTEDNESS

     1.   Liability with respect to intercompany
          Indebtedness to Company and the Subsidiary
          Guarantors by Subsidiaries other than
          wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantors permitted
          under subsection 7.1(iv):                         $_____________

     2.   Maximum liability with respect to intercompany
          Indebtedness to Company and the Subsidiary
          Guarantors by Subsidiaries other than
          wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantors permitted
          under subsection 7.1(iv):                         $95,000,000

     3.   Liability of Subsidiaries other than
          wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantors with
          respect to Indebtedness permitted under
          subsection 7.1(vii):                              $_____________
 
     4.   Maximum liability of Subsidiaries other than
          wholly-owned Subsidiary Guarantors with
          respect to Indebtedness permitted under
          subsection 7.1(vii):                              $1,000,000

     5.   Liability with respect to other
          Indebtedness permitted under
          subsection 7.1(vii):                              $_____________

     6.   Maximum liability with respect to other
          Indebtedness permitted under
          subsection 7.1(vii) (inclusive of (3)):           $5,000,000

B.   LIENS AND RELATED MATTERS

     1.   Liens permitted under

                                      V-3
<PAGE>
 
          subsection 7.2(iii):                              $_____________

     2.   Amount of cash collateral
          deposited in the Collateral Account
          pursuant to subsection 7.2(iii)
          ((1) and (2) should be equal):                    $______________

     3.   Other Liens permitted under
          subsection 7.2(iv):                               $_____________

     4.   Maximum amount of other Liens
          permitted under subsection 7.2(iv):               $1,000,000

C.   INVESTMENTS; JOINT VENTURES
 
     1.    Other Investments permitted under
           subsection 7.3(vii):                             $_____________
 
     2.    Maximum permitted under subsection 7.3(vii):     $5,000,000
 
D.   CONTINGENT OBLIGATIONS
 
     1.    Other Contingent Obligations permitted under
           subsection 7.4(vii):                             $_____________
 
     2.    Maximum permitted under subsection 7.4(vii):     $5,000,000

E.   RESTRICTED JUNIOR PAYMENTS

     1.   Restricted Junior Payments permitted under
          Section 7.5                                       $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated Net Income after 6/30/1997

     3.   Maximum permitted under Section 7.5:              $5,000,000, plus the
                                                            product of .25x(2)
 
F.   MINIMUM INTEREST COVERAGE RATIO (for the four-Fiscal Quarter
     period ending _____________, [199_]) [200_]

     1.   Consolidated Net Income after 6/30/97:            $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated Interest Expense:                    $_____________

                                      V-4
<PAGE>
 
     3.   Income tax expense:                               $_____________
 
     4.   Total depreciation expense:                       $_____________
 
     5.   Total amortization expense:                       $_____________
 
     6.   Other non-cash items reducing Consolidated
          Net Income:                                       $_____________
 
     7.   Other non-cash items increasing Consolidated
          Net Income:                                       $_____________
 
     8.   Consolidated EBITDA (1+2+3+4+5+6-7):              $_____________
 
     9.   Interest Coverage Ratio (8):(2):                  ____:1.00
 
     10.  Minimum ratio required under subsection 7.6A:     3:00:1.00
 
G.   MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO (for the four-Fiscal Quarter
     period ending _____________, [199_]) [200_]
 
     1.   Consolidated EBITDA (E.8 above):                  $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated Capital Expenditures:                $_____________
 
     3.   Cash paid for income taxes:                       $_____________
 
     4.   Consolidated Interest Expense:                    $_____________
 
     5.   Consolidated Scheduled Payments:                  $_____________
 
     6.   Cash dividends or other
          cash distributions paid
          on account of any shares of
          any class of Company stock:                       $_____________
 
     7.   Adjusted EBITDA (1-2-3):                          $_____________
 
     8.   Consolidated Fixed Charges (4+5+6):               $_____________
 
     9.   Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (7):(8):              ____:1.00
 
     10.  Minimum ratio required under subsection 7.6B:     1.25:1.00
 
                                     V-5 
<PAGE>
 
H.   MAXIMUM LEVERAGE RATIO (as of _____________, [199_]) [200_]
 
     1.   Consolidated Total Debt:                          $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated EBITDA:                              $_____________
 
     3.   Leverage Ratio (1):(2):                           ____:1.00
 
     4.   Maximum ratio permitted under subsection
          7.6C: Closing Date through 6/30/98                1.00:1.00
                7/1/98 and thereafter                       .75:1.00
 
I.   MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED CURRENT RATIO (for the [______-]
     Fiscal Quarter ending ____________, [199_]) [200_]
 
     1.   Consolidated Current Assets:                      $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated Current Liabilities:                 $_____________
 
     3.   Consolidated Current Ratio (1):(2):               ____:1.00
 
     4.   Minimum required under subsection 7.6D:           2.00:1.00
 
J.   MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH (as of
     ____________, [199_] [200_])
 
     1.   Consolidated Net Worth:                           $_____________
 
     2.   Consolidated Net Income after 6/30/97:            $_____________

     3.   Consolidated net proceeds from sale
          of equity securities:                             $_____________

     4.   Minimum required under subsection
          7.6E ($130,000,000+.75(2)+.75(3):                 $_____________

K.   FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES; ASSET SALES AND ACQUISITIONS

     1.   Aggregate amount of cash and noncash
          consideration (including any Indebtedness
          assumed by Company or its Subsidiaries
          but excluding any equity Securities issued
          by Company in connection with such transaction)
          paid by Company and its Subsidiaries

                                      V-6
<PAGE>
 
          under subsection 7.7(v):                          $______________

     2.   Maximum permitted under subsection 7.7(v):        $10,000,000

L.   CONSOLIDATED CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

     1.   Non-Subsidiary Guarantor Capital
          Expenditures permitted under subsection 7.8
          for Fiscal Year-to-date:                          $_____________

     2.   Excess of Non-Subsidiary Guarantor
          Capital Expenditures over
          Non-Subsidiary Guarantor Sublimit
          permitted under subsection 7.8
          for the previous Fiscal Year:                     $_____________

     3.   Maximum amount of Non-Subsidiary
          Guarantor Sublimit permitted under
          subsection 7.8 for any Fiscal Year:               $10,000,000, plus
                                                            (2)
     4.   Consolidated Capital Expenditures
          permitted under subsection 7.8
          for Fiscal Year-to-date:                          $_____________

     5.   Excess of Maximum Consolidated
          Capital Expenditures Amount over
          Consolidated Capital Expenditures
          permitted under subsection 7.8
          for the previous Fiscal Year:                     $_____________

     6.   Maximum amount of Consolidated Capital
          Expenditures permitted under subsection 7.8 for
          any Fiscal Year:                                  $50,000,000, plus
                                                            (5)
M.   LEASES

     1.   Consolidated Rental Payments in effect during
          the then current or any Fiscal Year:              $_____________

     2.   Maximum permitted under subsection 7.9:           $5,000,000

                                      V-7
<PAGE>
 
                                 June __, 1997


Union Bank of California, N.A.
[Address of Agent]

       and

The Lenders Listed on
 Schedule A Hereto

         Re:  Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 among Varco
              International, Inc., the financial institutions listed therein as
              Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Varco International, Inc., a California
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with that certain Credit Agreement
dated as of June 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement") among Company, the financial
institutions listed therein as Lenders ("Lenders"), and Union Bank of
California, N.A., as Agent (the "Agent").

         This opinion is furnished to you pursuant to subsection 4.1D of the
Credit Agreement. Capitalized terms used herein which are defined in the Credit
Agreement shall have the respective meanings set forth in the Credit Agreement
unless otherwise defined herein. As used herein, the term "Domestic Subsidiary"
shall mean any of the following: Best Industries, Inc., a Texas corporation,
Martin-Decker TOTCO, Inc., a Texas corporation, and Varco Shaffer, Inc., a Texas
corporation (collectively, the "Domestic Subsidiaries").
         In connection with this opinion, we have examined executed counterparts
of the following documents (collectively, the "Loan Documents"):

         (a)  The Credit Agreement;

         (b)  The Notes delivered today (the "Notes");
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 2.

         (c)  The Collateral Account Agreement, dated as of June 27, 1997 made
by and among the Company and the Agent in favor of the Lenders (the "Collateral
Account Agreement");

         (d)  Amended and Restated Guaranties, each dated as of June 27,
1997 (individually, a "Domestic Guaranty" and collectively, the "Domestic
Guaranties"); made by each Domestic Subsidiary, respectively, in favor of the
Guaranteed Partners


         (e)  Amended and Restated Subordination Agreements, each dated as of 
June 27, 1997, between the Company and each Domestic Subsidiary, respectively 
(individually, a "Domestic Subordination Agreement" and collectively, the 
"Domestic Subordination Agreements").

         In addition, we have examined certificates of officers of the Company
and each Domestic Subsidiary, copies of which are being delivered to you
concurrently with the delivery of this opinion, and originals or copies of such
corporate documents and records of the Company and each Domestic Subsidiary,
certificates of public officials, and such other documents, and have made such
investigation of law, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for the
purposes of this opinion.

         We have assumed (i) the genuineness on all documents examined by us of
all signatures of all parties other than the Company and each Domestic
Subsidiary (ii) the conformity to the originals of all documents submitted to us
as copies, and (iii) the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals.

         We have assumed that each Lender will seek to enforce its rights and
remedies under the Loan Documents only in good faith, in accordance with
statutory and other legal requirements, in a commercially reasonable manner.


         We have assumed that each Lender is either (a) a national banking
association created and operating under and pursuant to the laws of the United
States, (b) a state bank created and operating under and pursuant to the laws of
California or any other state of the United States, or (c) a bank holding
company or subsidiary of a bank holding company as defined in the Bank Holding
Company Act of 1956, as amended, and that no Lender has any present intent to
transfer Loans made by it to a person or entity that is not exempt from
California usury laws.
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 3.


         We note that the Domestic Guaranties and the Domestic Subordination 
Agreements are stated to be governed by the laws of the State of New York. 
However, for the purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that, notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Domestic Guaranties and the Domestic Subordination Agreements
are governed by the laws of the State of California.

         We have also assumed the Agent, each Lender and the Issuing Lender are
corporations duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the jurisdiction of their incorporation and have the requisite corporate
authority to execute and deliver each Loan Document to which they are a party
and for the purposes of the opinions set forth in paragraph 4 below, that each
Loan Document to which they are a party has been duly executed and delivered by
the Agent, each Lender or the Issuing Lender, as the case may be, and
constitutes its valid, binding and enforceable obligation.

         Based upon the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, and subject to the
qualifications and limitations set forth below, we are of the opinion that:

         1.  The Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing
and in good standing under the laws of the State of California.  The Company is
duly qualified or registered to transact business and is in good standing as a
foreign corporation in Louisiana and Texas and each other jurisdiction in which
the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of its properties make
such qualification or registration necessary, except where the failure to be so
duly qualified or in good standing would not have and could not reasonably be
expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company has all requisite
corporate power and authority to own and operate its properties, to carry on its
business as now conducted and to enter into and perform the Agreement and the
other Loan Documents to which it is a party.

         2.  The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of the
Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Account Agreement, and the Domestic
Subordination Agreements are within the Company's corporate powers, have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action, and do not contravene the
Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or By-Laws. The
execution and delivery and, as of the date hereof, the performance by the
Company of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, and the Domestic Subordination

<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 4.


Agreements do not contravene any contractual restriction binding on or affecting
the Company or any law binding on or affecting the Company.

         3.  No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for
the due execution and delivery or, as of the date hereof, the performance by the
Company of the Credit Agreement, the Notes, or the Domestic Subordination
Agreements.

         4.  The Credit Agreement, the Notes, the Collateral Account Agreement,
the Domestic Guaranties and the Domestic Subordination Agreements have been duly
executed and delivered by each Loan Party which is a party thereto. The Credit
Agreement, the Notes and the Collateral Account Agreement constitute legal,
valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their respective terms. The Domestic Guaranties and the Domestic
Subordination Agreements constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of each
Loan Party which is a party thereto, enforceable against each such Loan Party in
accordance with their respective terms.

         5.  Based solely on the representation and warranty of the Company set
forth in subsection 5.1D of the Credit Agreement, all Subsidiaries of the
Company are listed on Schedule 5.1 to the Agreement.  To our knowledge, the
Company has good marketable title to all of the shares it purports to own of the
capital stock of each Domestic Subsidiary, free and clear in each case of any
Lien, and all such shares have been duly issued and are fully paid and
nonassessable.  Each Domestic Subsidiary is duly organized, validly existing and
in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization, is duly
qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in good standing as
such in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its business or the ownership
or leasing of its properties makes such qualification necessary, except where
the failure to be so duly qualified or in good standing would not have and could
not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.  Each Domestic
Subsidiary has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate
its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and to enter into and
perform the Domestic Guaranty and the Domestic Subordination Agreement to which
it is a party.  The execution, delivery and performance by each Domestic
Subsidiary of the Domestic Guaranty and the Domestic Subordination Agreement to
which it is a party are within its corporate powers, have been duly authorized
by all necessary corporate 
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 5.


action, and do not contravene its articles of incorporation or by-laws. The
execution and delivery and, as of the date hereof, the performance by each
Domestic Subsidiary of the Domestic Guaranty and the Domestic Subordination
Agreement to which it is a party do not contravene or any contractual
restriction binding on or affecting such Domestic Subsidiary or any law binding
on or affecting such Domestic Subsidiary.

         6.  No authorization or approval or other action by, and no notice to
or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body is required for
the due execution and delivery or, as of the date hereof, the performance by the
Domestic Subsidiary of the Domestic Guaranty and the Domestic Subordination
Agreement.

         7.  To our knowledge, there is no pending or threatened, action, suit,
investigation, litigation or proceeding affecting the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries or the properties of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries before
any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, department, commission, board,
bureau or instrumentality, domestic or foreign (a) that, individually or in the
aggregate, would or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
Effect or (b) which purports to affect the legality, validity or enforceability
of the Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         8.  Neither the Company nor any Domestic Subsidiary is (i) a "public
utility company" or a "holding company", or an "affiliate" or a "subsidiary
company", as such terms are defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act of
1935, (ii) a "public utility", as defined in the Federal Power Act, (iii) a
"common carrier", as defined in the Interstate Commerce Act, (iv) an "investment
company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" as such terms are
defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended, or subject to
any Federal or state statute or regulation limiting its ability to incur
indebtedness for money borrowed or otherwise limiting its ability to enter into
or perform its obligations under the Agreement or the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party.

         9.  To our knowledge, neither Company nor any of its Subsidiaries is in
default in the performance, observance or fulfillment of any of the obligations,
covenants, or conditions contained in any contractual obligation of the Company
or of such Subsidiary, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of
such default or defaults, if any, would not have and could not reasonably be
expected to 
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 6.


have a Material Adverse Effect and no condition exists that, with
the giving of due notice or the lapse of time or both, would constitute such a
default, except where the consequences, direct or indirect, of such default, if
any, would not have and could not reasonably be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         10.  All present and future advances constitute or will constitute
"Senior Indebtedness", as such term is defined in the Senior Note Agreement. All
of the Obligations of the Company and all of the obligations of the Guarantors,
under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without
limitation, the Loans made or to be made by the Lenders to the Company on the
date hereof in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $17.0 million and
the Letter of Credit issued or to be issued by the Issuing Lender to Citibank,
N.A. on the date hereof in the face amount of approximately $9.7 million have
been incurred in compliance with each of the provisions of the Senior Note
Purchase Agreement, including without limitation Sections 7.4 and 7.5 thereof. 
Insofar as the opinion set forth in the preceding sentence depend on the factual
matters set forth therein, we have relied on the Pro Forma Compliance 
Certificate of the Controller-Treasurer of the Company attached hereto as 
Schedule B.

         The opinions set forth above are subject to the following
qualifications and limitations:

         (a)  In rendering the opinions expressed in paragraph 1 and the third
sentence of paragraph 5 above, we have relied solely upon certificates of state
officials of various states.

         (b)  In rendering the opinions expressed in the second sentence of
paragraph 2, in the last sentence of paragraph 5 and in paragraph 9 above, we
have only reviewed the agreements and instruments filed by Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission as material agreements pursuant to the rules
and regulations thereof, and such opinions are limited to such agreements and
instruments. No agreement not so filed has been identified to us as material by 
the Company.

         (c)  In rendering the opinions set forth above which are qualified by
the phrase "to our knowledge" we have, with your consent, advised you only as to
such current, actual knowledge as we have obtained from lawyers in our firm who
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 7.


have given substantive attention to matters concerning the Company and its
Subsidiaries.

         (d)  Enforceability of the Loan Documents may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other laws relating to or affecting the
enforcement of creditors' rights generally, including, state and federal
fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer laws.

         (e)  Enforceability of the Loan Documents may be limited by general
principles of equity (without regard to whether enforcement is considered in a
proceeding at law or in equity) including limitations on the availability of
specific performance, injunctive relief or other equitable remedies.

         (f)  The unenforceability, under certain circumstances, of (i)
provisions expressly or by implication waiving broadly or vaguely stated rights,
unknown or future rights, or defenses to obligations or rights granted by law,
where such waivers are against public policy or prohibited by law, (ii)
provisions to the effect that every right or remedy is cumulative and may be
exercised in addition to or with any other right or remedy or that the election
of some particular remedy or remedies does not preclude recourse or one or more
others, or (iii) provisions that a failure to exercise or a delay in exercising
any right or remedy will not operate as a waiver of any such right or remedy.

         (g)  The Loan Documents may be subject to, or limited by, the
unenforceability under certain circumstances of provisions imposing penalties,
forfeitures, late payment charges or an increase in the interest rate upon the
occurrence of a default.

         (h)  Requirements in the Loan Documents specifying that provisions
thereof may only be waived in writing may not be valid, binding or enforceable
to the extent that an oral agreement or an implied agreement by trade practice
or course of conduct has been created modifying any provisions of such
documents.

         (i)  The unenforceability, under certain circumstances, of provisions
indemnifying a party against liability for its own wrongful or negligent acts or
where such indemnification is contrary to public policy.
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 8.


         (j) We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of any
provisions of the Loan Documents providing for any Loan Party to make all
payments without defense, setoff, recoupment, counterclaim or cross-claim.

         (k)  We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of any 
provisions with respect to choice of law contained in the Guaranties or the 
Subordination Agreements.

         (l)  Section 1717 of the California Civil Code provides, that, in any 
action on a contract where such contract specifically provides that attorneys'
fees and costs incurred to enforce the provisions of such contract shall be
awarded to one of the parties, the prevailing party, whether it is the party
specified in the contract or not, shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys'
fees in addition to costs and necessary disbursements.

         (m)  We express no opinion with respect to the enforceability of 
provisions of the Loan Documents which (i) appoints one party as an 
attorney-in-fact for an adverse party or (iii) purport to waive any applicable 
statute of limitations.

         (n)  With respect to the enforceability of the Domestic Guaranties, we 
advise you that there is California statutory and judicial authority to the 
effect that a surety may be exonerated if the creditor alters the original 
obligation of the principal without the consent of the guarantor, elects 
remedies for default that may impair the subrogation rights of the guarantor 
against the principal, or otherwise takes any action which materially prejudices
the guarantor. See, e.g., California Civil Code Section 2810; UNION BANK V.
GRADSKY, 265 Cal. App. 2d 40, 71 Cal. Rptr. 84 (1968). Although we believe that
the explicit language contained in a guaranty waiving such rights should be
enforceable, we express no opinion with respect to the effect of: (x) any
modifications or alterations affecting the obligations of the principal, (y) any
election of remedies by Lender following the occurrence of an event of default
under any of the Loan Documents, or (z) any other action by Lender which
materially prejudices the Guarantor, if such modification, election or action
occurs without notice to the Guarantor and without granting the Guarantor an
opportunity to cure such event of default.

         The opinions stated herein apply only insofar as the laws of the State
of California, the general corporate law of the State of Texas, and the federal
laws of
<PAGE>
 
Union Bank of California, N.A.
Lenders Listed on Schedule A
June __, 1997
Page 9.


the United States of America may be concerned, and we express no opinion with 
respect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

         The foregoing opinion is limited to the matters expressly set forth
therein, and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters
expressly stated therein.  The foregoing opinion is rendered only to the Agent,
the Lenders and the Issuing Lender and any assignee or participant permitted by
the Credit Agreement and is solely for their benefit in connection with the
Agreement and the other Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby
and may not be relied upon by the Agent, the Lenders or the Issuing Lender for
any other purpose, or delivered to or relied upon by any other person for any
purpose without our prior written consent. We further advise you that we are not
assuming any obligation to notify you of any changes in the foregoing opinion as
a result of any facts or any change in any law or court decision which may come
to our attention in the future which may cause a change in such opinion.

                                   Very truly yours,


[NOTE: In the event that Subsidiaries of the Company other than Domestic 
Subsidiaries execute and deliver an Amended and Restated Subordination
Agreements, the opinions with respect to the Company shall be expanded to cover 
such Amended and Restated Subordination Agreements.]
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT VII

                  [FORM OF OPINION OF O'MELVENY & MYERS LLP]
                              [O'M&M Letterhead]

                                {Closing Date}
 
                                    1 9 9 7



                                                                     881,575-165
                                                                        [doc ID]


Union Bank of California, N.A.
[Address
 of Agent]

    and

The Lenders Party to the Credit
 Agreement Referenced Below

         Re:  Loans to Varco International, Inc.
              ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as counsel to Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent
(in such capacity, "Agent"), in connection with the preparation and delivery of
a Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement") among
Varco International, Inc., a California corporation ("Company"), the financial
institutions listed therein as lenders, and Agent and in connection with the
preparation and delivery of certain related documents.

         We have participated in various conferences with representatives of
Company and Agent and conferences and telephone calls with Pircher, Nichols &
Meeks, counsel to Company, during which the Credit Agreement and related matters
have been discussed, and we have also participated in the meeting held on the
date hereof (the "Closing") incident to the funding of the initial loans made
under the Credit Agreement.  We have reviewed the forms of the Credit Agreement
and the exhibits thereto, including the forms of the promissory notes annexed
thereto (the "Notes"), and the opinion of Pircher, Nichols & Meeks (the
"Opinion") and the officers' certificates and other

                                     VII-1
<PAGE>
 
Page 2 - [Agent] - [Date]

documents delivered at the Closing.  We have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals or
copies and the due authority of all persons executing the same, and we have
relied as to factual matters on the documents that we have reviewed.

         Although we have not independently considered all of the matters
covered by the Opinion to the extent necessary to enable us to express the
conclusions therein stated, we believe that the Credit Agreement and the
exhibits thereto are in substantially acceptable legal form and that the Opinion
and the officers' certificates and other documents delivered in connection with
the execution and delivery of, and as conditions to the making of the initial
loans under, the Credit Agreement and the Notes are substantially responsive to
the requirements of the Credit Agreement.

                                       Respectfully submitted,

                                     VII-2
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT VIII

                        [FORM OF ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT]

                             ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT


         This ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is entered into by and
between the parties designated as Assignor ("ASSIGNOR") and Assignee
("ASSIGNEE") above the signatures of such parties on the Schedule of Terms
attached hereto and hereby made an integral part hereof (the "SCHEDULE OF
TERMS") and relates to that certain Credit Agreement described in the Schedule
of Terms (said Credit Agree ment, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
to the date hereof and as it may hereafter be amended, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT", the terms defined
therein and not otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

         IN CONSIDERATION of the agreements, provisions and covenants herein
contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

         SECTION 1.  ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION.
                     ------------------------- 

         (a) Effective upon the Settlement Date specified in Item 4 of the
Schedule of Terms (the "SETTLEMENT DATE"), Assignor hereby sells and assigns to
Assignee, without recourse, representation or warranty (except as expressly set
forth herein), and Assignee hereby purchases and assumes from Assignor, that
percentage interest in all of Assignor's rights and obligations as a Lender
arising under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to
Assignor's Commitment and outstanding Loans, if any, which represents, as of the
Settlement Date, the percentage interest specified in Item 3 of the Schedule of
Terms of all rights and obligations of Lenders arising under the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents with respect to the Commitments and any
outstanding Loans (the "ASSIGNED SHARE").  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, the parties hereto hereby expressly acknowledge and agree that
any assignment of all or any portion of Assignor's rights and obligations
relating to Assignor's Commitment shall include (i) in the event Assignor is an
Issuing Lender with respect to any outstanding Letters of Credit (any such
Letters of Credit being "ASSIGNOR LETTERS OF CREDIT"), the sale to Assignee of a
participation in the Assignor Letters of Credit and any drawings thereunder as
contemplated by subsection 3.1C of the Credit Agreement and (ii) the sale to
Assignee of a ratable portion of any participations previously purchased by
Assignor pursuant to said subsection 3.1C with respect to any Letters of Credit
other than the Assignor Letters of Credit.

                                    VIII-1
<PAGE>
 
         (b) In consideration of the assignment described above, Assignee hereby
agrees to pay to Assignor, on the Settlement Date, the principal amount of any
outstanding Loans included within the Assigned Share, such payment to be made by
wire transfer of immediately available funds in accordance with the applicable
payment instructions set forth in Item 5 of the Schedule of Terms.

         (c) Assignor hereby represents and warrants that Item 3 of the Schedule
of Terms correctly sets forth the amount of the Commitment and the Pro Rata
Share corresponding to the Assigned Share.

         (d) Assignor and Assignee hereby agree that, upon giving effect to the
assignment and assumption described above, (i) Assignee shall be a party to the
Credit Agreement and shall have all of the rights and obligations under the Loan
Documents, and shall be deemed to have made all of the covenants and agreements
contained in the Loan Documents, arising out of or otherwise related to the
Assigned Share, and (ii) Assignor shall be absolutely released from any of such
obligations, covenants and agreements assumed or made by Assignee in respect of
the Assigned Share.  Assignee hereby acknowledges and agrees that the agreement
set forth in this Section 1(d) is expressly made for the benefit of Company,
Agent, Assignor and the other Lenders and their respective successors and
permitted assigns.

         (e) Assignor and Assignee hereby acknowledge and confirm their
understanding and intent that (i) this Agreement shall effect the assignment by
Assignor and the assumption by Assignee of Assignor's rights and obligations
with respect to the Assigned Share, (ii) any other assignments by Assignor of a
portion of its rights and obligations with respect to the Commitments and any
outstanding Loans shall have no effect on the Commitment and the Pro Rata Share
corresponding to the Assigned Share as set forth in Item 3 of the Schedule of
Terms or on the interest of Assignee in any outstanding Loans corresponding
thereto, and (iii) from and after the Settlement Date, Agent shall make all
payments under the Credit Agreement in respect of the Assigned Share (including
all payments of principal and accrued but unpaid interest, commitment fees and
letter of credit fees with respect thereto) (A) in the case of any such interest
and fees that shall have accrued prior to the Settlement Date, to Assignor, and
(B) in all other cases, to Assignee; provided that Assignor and Assignee shall
                                     --------                                 
make payments directly to each other to the extent necessary to effect any
appropriate adjustments in any amounts distributed to Assignor and/or Assignee
by Agent under the Loan Documents in respect of the Assigned Share in the event
that, for any reason whatsoever, the payment of consideration contemplated by
Section 1(b) occurs on a date other than the Settlement Date.

                                    VIII-2
<PAGE>
 
         SECTION 2.  CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES AND AGREEMENTS.
                     -------------------------------------------------- 

         (a) Assignor represents and warrants that it is the legal and
beneficial owner of the Assigned Share, free and clear of any adverse claim.

         (b) Assignor shall not be responsible to Assignee for the execution,
effectiveness, genuineness, validity, enforceability, collectibility or
sufficiency of any of the Loan Documents or for any representations, warranties,
recitals or statements made therein or made in any written or oral statements or
in any financial or other statements, instruments, reports or certificates or
any other documents furnished or made by Assignor to Assignee or by or on behalf
of Company or any of its Subsidiaries to Assignor or Assignee in connection with
the Loan Documents and the transactions contemplated thereby or for the
financial condition or business affairs of Company or any other Person liable
for the payment of any Obligations, nor shall Assignor be required to ascertain
or inquire as to the performance or observance of any of the terms, conditions,
provisions, covenants or agreements contained in any of the Loan Documents or as
to the use of the proceeds of the Loans or the use of the Letters of Credit or
as to the existence or possible existence of any Event of Default or Potential
Event of Default.

         (c) Assignee represents and warrants that it is an Eligible Assignee;
that it has experience and expertise in the making of loans such as the Loans;
that it has acquired the Assigned Share for its own account in the ordinary
course of its business and without a view to distribution of the Loans within
the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act or other federal
securities laws (it being understood that, subject to the provisions of
subsection 10.1 of the Credit Agreement, the disposition of the Assigned Share
or any interests therein shall at all times remain within its exclusive
control); and that it has received, reviewed and approved a copy of the Credit
Agreement (including all Exhibits and Schedules thereto).

         (d) Assignee represents and warrants that it has received from Assignor
such financial information regarding Company and its Subsidiaries as is
available to Assignor and as Assignee has requested, that it has made its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs of Company and
its Subsidiaries in connection with the assignment evidenced by this Agreement,
and that it has made and shall continue to make its own appraisal of the
creditworthiness of Company and its Subsidiaries.  Assignor shall have no duty
or responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to make any such
investigation or any such appraisal on behalf of Assignee or to provide Assignee
with any other credit or other informa tion with respect thereto, whether coming
into its possession before the making of the initial Loans or at any time or
times thereafter, and Assignor shall not have any responsibility with respect to
the accuracy of or the completeness of any information provided to Assignee.

                                    VIII-3
<PAGE>
 
         (e) Each party to this Agreement represents and warrants to the other
party hereto that it has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement
and to perform its obligations hereunder in accordance with the provisions
hereof, that this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
such party and that this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding
obligation of such party, enforceable against such party in accordance with its
terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

         SECTION 3.  MISCELLANEOUS.
                     ------------- 

         (a) Each of Assignor and Assignee hereby agrees from time to time, upon
request of the other such party hereto, to take such additional actions and to
execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments as such other
party may reasonably request to effect the transactions contemplated by, and to
carry out the intent of, this Agreement.

         (b) Neither this Agreement nor any term hereof may be changed, waived,
discharged or terminated, except by an instrument in writing signed by the party
(including, if applicable, any party required to evidence its consent to or
acceptance of this Agreement) against whom enforcement of such change, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.

         (c) Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any notice or other
communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or United States mail
or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered in
person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or telex, or three
Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with postage prepaid
and properly addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the notice address of each of
Assignor and Assignee shall be as set forth on the Schedule of Terms or, as to
either such party, such other address as shall be designated by such party in a
written notice delivered to the other such party.  In addition, the notice
address of Assignee set forth on the Schedule of Terms shall serve as the
initial notice address of Assignee for purposes of subsection 10.8 of the Credit
Agreement.

         (d) In case any provision in or obligation under this Agreement shall
be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions or obligations, or of such
provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

                                    VIII-4
<PAGE>
 
         (e) THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING SECTION
1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA), WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

         (f) This Agreement shall be binding upon, and shall inure to the
benefit of, the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         (g) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts and by
different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so
executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument; signature pages may
be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached to a single
counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to the same
document.

         (h) This Agreement shall become effective upon the date (the "EFFECTIVE
DATE") upon which all of the following conditions are satisfied:  (i) the
execution of a counterpart hereof by each of Assignor and Assignee, (ii) the
receipt by Agent of the processing and recordation fee referred to in subsection
10.1B(i) of the Credit Agreement, (iii) in the event Assignee is a Non-US Lender
(as defined in subsection 2.7B(iii)(a) of the Credit Agreement), the delivery by
Assignee to Agent of such forms, certificates or other evidence with respect to
United States federal income tax withholding matters as Assignee may be required
to deliver to Agent pursuant to said subsection 2.7B(iii)(a), (iv) the execution
of a counterpart hereof by Agent as evidence of its acceptance hereof in
accordance with subsection 10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement, (v) the receipt by
Agent of originals or telefacsimiles of the counterparts described above and
authorization of delivery thereof, and (vi) the recordation by Agent in the
Register of the pertinent information regarding the assignment effected hereby
in accordance with subsection 10.1B(ii) of the Credit Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized, such execution being made as of the Effective Date in the applicable
spaces provided on the Schedule of Terms.


                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                    VIII-5
<PAGE>
 
                               SCHEDULE OF TERMS

1. Company:   Varco International, Inc.
   -------                             

2. Name and Date of Credit Agreement:  Credit Agreement dated as of June 27,
   ---------------------------------                                        
   1997 by and among Varco International, Inc., the financial institutions
   listed therein as Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent.

3. Amounts:
   ------- 
   (a)    Aggregate Commitments of all Lenders:                    $________  
   (b)    Assigned Share/Pro Rata Share:                             _____%
   (c)    Amount of Assigned Share of Commitments:                 $________

4. Settlement Date:  _____________, 199_
   ---------------                      

5. Payment Instructions:
   -------------------- 
   ASSIGNOR:                                     ASSIGNEE:                    
                                                                              
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   Attention: _________________                  Attention: __________________
   Reference: _________________                  Reference: __________________
                                                                              
6. Notice Addresses:                                                          
   ----------------                                                           
   ASSIGNOR:                                     ASSIGNEE:                    
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   ____________________________                  _____________________________
   ____________________________                  _____________________________ 

7. Signatures:
   ---------- 

[NAME OF ASSIGNOR],                         [NAME OF ASSIGNEE],   
as Assignor                                 as Assignee           
                                                                  
By: __________________                      By: __________________
Title: _______________                      Title: _______________ 


Consented to in accordance with subsection  Accepted in accordance with 
10.1B(i) of the Credit Agreement            subsection 10.1B(ii) of the
                                            Credit Agreement
                                                                   
VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.                   UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.,
                                            as   Agent

By: __________________                      By: __________________
Title: _______________                      Title: _______________ 

                                    VIII-6
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT IX-A

                       [FORM OF SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT]

                 AMENDED AND RESTATED SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT


          This Amended and Restated Subordination Agreement (this "AGREEMENT")
is made as of June __, 1997, by and between VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
("HOLDER"), a California corporation, and _______________ ("GUARANTOR"), a
______________ corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary (as defined herein) of
Holder.

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------
                                        
          A.   Citicorp USA, Inc., Citibank N.A. and Holder are parties to that
certain Credit Agreement dated as of February 25, 1993, as amended (the
"CITICORP AGREEMENT").  Holder now seeks to terminate the commitments under such
agreement and enter into a new credit facility evidenced by the Credit Agreement
referred to below.

          B.   Holder, Union Bank of California, N.A. as Issuing Bank (the
"ISSUING BANK"), Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent (the "AGENT") and
certain financial institutions ("LENDERS") have entered into that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT").

          C.   Holder has entered into that certain Note Agreement dated as of
July 1, 1992 (as heretofore or hereafter amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time, the "SENIOR NOTE AGREEMENT") pursuant to which Holder has issued
$50,000,000 principal amount of 8.95% Senior Notes due June 30, 1999 (the
"SENIOR NOTES"). (The holders of the Senior Notes, together with the Lenders,
the Issuing Bank and the Agent and their respective successors and assigns, the
"SENIOR CREDITORS").

          D.   Holder is a creditor of Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantor
to Holder are evidenced by a promissory note (the "NOTE") executed by Guarantor
in favor of Holder.

          E.   Guarantor has previously executed and delivered a Subordination
Agreement dated as of _________________ (the "EXISTING SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT")
which subordinates the right to payment of sums from time to time owed to Holder
by Guarantor.

          F.   In order to induce Lenders to make certain loans to Holder and to
induce Issuing Bank to provide certain letters of credit for the account of
Holder and its Subsidiaries, potentially including the Guarantor, and to induce
the holders of the Senior Notes to enter into a waiver and consent with respect
to the Senior Note Agreement, (i) Guarantor has agreed to unconditionally
guarantee the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit
Agreement and related documents and to 

                                    IX-A-1
<PAGE>
 
unconditionally guarantee the obligations under the Senior Note Agreement and
the Senior Notes pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Guaranty executed
by the Guarantor (the "GUARANTY") and (ii) Holder has agreed to subordinate its
right to payment of sums from time to time owed to Holder by Guarantor,
including without limitation all claims evidenced by the Note, to the prior
payment in full in cash of the obligations owed by the Guarantor to the Senior
Creditors under the Guaranty. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"SUBSIDIARY" or "SUBSIDIARIES" means any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (1) the
outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at
the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall
or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (2) the
interest in the capital or profits of such partnership or joint venture, or (3)
the beneficial interest of such trust or estate, is at the time directly or
indirectly owned by the Holder, by the Holder and one or more other Subsidiaries
of the Holder, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the Holder.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the
provisions set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, Holder and Guarantor hereby agree that the Existing Subordination
Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows for the
benefit of the Senior Creditors:

          1.   Subordination to Senior Debt. Notwithstanding any other provision
               ----------------------------
of the Note, any document or instrument executed by Guarantor in connection
therewith, or any collateral now or hereafter securing the Note, all
indebtedness evidenced by the Note (including without limitation of principal
interest, fees and charges) and all other present or future liabilities,
indebtedness or obligations of Guarantor to Holder (collectively, the
"SUBORDINATED DEBT") are and shall be subordinate and junior in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to the prior
indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt. "SENIOR DEBT" means (a)
all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of every kind or nature, absolute
or contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, of Guarantor, its successors
and assigns, to any Senior Creditor, its successors and assigns, including
without limitation the principal of, and interest on (including any interest
accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceeding with respect to Guarantor or Holder and any interest which would have
accrued but for the commencement of any such proceeding), and all premiums,
fees, charges and expenses, constituting Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in
the Guaranty) or otherwise arising under or in connection with the Guaranty, the
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Senior Notes or the Senior
Note Agreement; and (b) any modifications, amendments, renewals or extensions of
any indebtedness or obligation described in clause (a) above. Except as and to
the extent provided hereinafter, Holder will not ask, demand, sue for, take or
receive from Guarantor, by set-off or in any other manner, whether through the
realization of value from collateral or otherwise, direct or indirect payment
(whether in cash or property), of the whole or any part of the Subordinated
Debt, or any transfer of any property in payment thereof or as security
therefor, unless and until the Guaranty has terminated.

                                    IX-A-2
<PAGE>
 
          2.   Distributions in Liquidation and Bankruptcy.  In the event of any
               -------------------------------------------                      
distribution, division or application, partial or complete, voluntary or
involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, of all or any part of the assets
of Guarantor or the proceeds thereof (including any assets now or hereafter
securing any Subordinated Debt), to creditors of Guarantor or upon any
indebtedness of Guarantor, by reason of the liquidation, dissolution or other
winding up, partial or complete, of Guarantor, or any receivership, insolvency
or bankruptcy proceeding, or assignment for the benefit of creditors or
marshalling of assets, or any proceeding by or against Guarantor for any relief
under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or laws relating to the relief of
debtors, readjustment of indebtedness, arrangements, reorganizations,
compositions or extensions, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
Guarantor, then and in any such event:

               (a)  The holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive
     payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt, whether then due or not due,
     before Holder shall be entitled to receive any payment or other
     distributions on, or with respect to, the Subordinated Debt;

               (b)  Any payment or distribution of any kind or character,
     whether in cash, securities or other property, which but for these
     provisions would be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the
     Subordinated Debt shall instead be paid or delivered directly to the
     holders of the Senior Debt for pro rata application on the Senior Debt,
                                    --------
     whether then due or not due, until the Senior Debt shall have first
     been fully and indefeasibly paid in cash;

               (c)  Holder hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers each of
     the Senior Creditors, and appoints each Senior Creditor as attorney-in-
     fact, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every such payment or
     distribution and give acquittance therefor, and to file and vote claims (in
     bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise) and take such other actions, in such
     Senior Creditor's own name or otherwise, as such Senior Creditor may deem
     necessary or advisable for the enforcement of these provisions. Holder
     shall duly and promptly take such action as may be reasonably requested by
     Senior Creditors to assist in the collection of the Subordinated Debt for
     the pro rata account of the holders of the Senior Debt, and to file
         --------
     appropriate proofs of claim with respect to the Subordinated Debt and to
     vote the same, and to execute and deliver to any Senior Creditor on demand
     such powers of attorney, proofs of claim, assignments of claim or other
     instruments as may be reasonably requested by such Senior Creditor to
     enable such Senior Creditor or any other holder of the Senior Debt to
     enforce any and all claims upon or with respect to the Subordinated Debt
     and to collect and receive any and all payments or distributions which may
     be payable or deliverable at any time upon or with respect to the
     Subordinated Debt; and

               (d)  Should any direct or indirect payment (other than a payment
     permitted to be made pursuant to Paragraph 3 hereof) be made to Holder upon
     or with respect to the Subordinated Debt prior to the payment in full of
     the Senior Debt in accordance with these provisions, Holder will forthwith
     deliver the same to Senior Creditors, for the pro rata benefit of the
     holders of the Senior Debt, in

                                    IX-A-3
<PAGE>
 
     precisely the form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of
     Holder where necessary) for pro rata application on the Senior Debt,
                                 --------
     whether then due or not due. Until so delivered, the payment or
     distribution shall be held in trust by Holder as property of the holders of
     the Senior Debt. In the event of the failure of Holder to make any such
     endorsement or assignment, any Senior Creditor or any of its officers or
     employees, are hereby irrevocably authorized to make the same.

          3.   Permitted Payments. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and
               ------------------
4 of this Agreement, Guarantor may pay to Holder and Holder may accept payment
of interest and principal on account of the Subordinated Debt in a manner
consistent with the past practices of Holder and Guarantor prior to the date of
this Agreement.

          4.   Default on Senior Debt.  In the event that any Potential Event of
               ----------------------
Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall occur and
be continuing under the Credit Agreement or any Default or Event of Default (as
defined in the Senior Note Agreement) shall occur and be continuing under the
Senior Note Agreement, unless and until all Guaranteed Obligations (as defined
in the Guaranty), Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and
obligations under the Senior Notes and the Senior Note Agreement shall have been
indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the right of Holder to receive any payments
or other distributions with respect to the Subordinated Debt shall be suspended
during the continuance of such default.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing,
Holder shall receive any payment or distribution of any kind (whether from any
collateral securing such debt or otherwise), such payment or distribution shall
be received in trust for, and shall be delivered to Senior Creditors, for the
pro rata benefit of the holders of the Senior Debt, promptly in precisely the
- --------                                                                     
form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of Holder where
necessary) for pro rata application on the Senior Debt, whether then due or not
               --------                                                        
due.  Until so delivered, the payment or distribution shall be held in trust by
Holder as property of the holders of Senior Debt.

          5.   No Acceleration or Exercise of Remedies. So long as any Senior
               ---------------------------------------
Debt remains unpaid or any Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty),
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or obligations under the Senior
Notes and the Senior Note Agreement remain outstanding, Holder will not (a)
accelerate, or cause to be accelerated, the Subordinated Debt or otherwise cause
or permit the Subordinated Debt to become due and payable; or (b) exercise any
remedies with respect to the Subordinated Debt or any collateral at any time
securing payment or performance thereof unless and until, in each such case, all
of the Senior Debt shall have indefeasibly paid in full in cash, or the
Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the holders of at
least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes each
shall have otherwise consented in writing.

          6.   Bankruptcy. Until all of the Senior Debt and all of the
               ----------
Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty), Obligations (as defined in
the Credit Agreement) and obligations under the Senior Notes and under the
Senior Note Agreement shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, Holder will not
without the prior consent of the Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and the holders of

                                    IX-A-4
<PAGE>
 
at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes,
commence, or join with any other person in commencing, any proceeding against
any person with respect to the Subordinated Debt under any bankruptcy,
reorganization, readjustment of debt, dissolution, receivership, liquidation or
insolvency law or statute now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction.

          7.   Continuing Subordination.  The subordination effected by these
               ------------------------                                      
provisions is a continuing subordination and may not be modified or terminated
by Holder or any other holder of any Subordinated Debt until all of the Senior
Debt and all of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty),
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and obligations under the
Senior Notes and the Senior Note Agreement shall have been indefeasibly paid in
full in cash.  At any time and from time to time, without consent of or notice
to Holder or any other holder of Subordinated Debt, and without impairing or
affecting the obligations of any of them hereunder:

               (a)  The time for Guarantors performance of, or compliance with,
     any of its agreements contained in the Guaranty or any other agreement,
     instrument or document relating to the Senior Debt, may be modified or
     extended or such performance or compliance may be waived;

               (b)  Each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each holder of the Senior
     Notes may exercise or refrain from exercising any rights under the Credit
     Agreement, the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes, the Guaranty or any
     other guaranty or any other agreement, instrument or document relating to
     the Senior Debt;

               (c)  The Credit Agreement, the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior
     Notes, the Guaranty or any other agreement, instrument or document relating
     to the Senior Debt, may be revised, amended or otherwise modified for the
     purpose of adding or changing any provisions thereof (including, but not
     limited to, an increase in the interest charges), or changing in any manner
     the rights of any Lender, Issuing Bank, any holder of Senior Notes, Holder,
     Guarantor, or any other guarantor thereunder;

               (d)  Payment of the Senior Debt or any portion thereof may be
     extended or any notes evidencing such Senior Debt may be renewed in whole
     or in part;

               (e)  The maturity of the Senior Debt may be accelerated, and any
     collateral security therefor or any other rights of Senior Creditors may be
     exchanged, sold, surrendered, released or otherwise dealt with in
     accordance with the terms of any present or future agreement with Holder,
     Guarantor or any other guarantor and any other agreement of subordination
     (and the debt covered thereby) may be surrendered, released or discharged,
     or the terms thereof modified or otherwise dealt with in any manner;

                                    IX-A-5
<PAGE>
 
               (f)  Any person liable in any manner for payment of the Senior
     Debt may be released by holders of Senior Debt; and

               (g)  Notwithstanding the occurrence of any of the foregoing,
     these subordination provisions shall remain in full force and effect with
     respect to the Senior Debt, as the same shall have been extended, renewed,
     modified or refunded.

          8.   Waivers. Holder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert any
               -------
right, now or hereafter existing, to require (a) any Senior Creditor to proceed
against or exhaust any collateral at any time securing the Senior Debt, the
Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty), the Obligations (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) or the obligations under the Senior Notes or the Senior
Note Agreement, or to marshal any assets in favor of Holder or any other holder
of Subordinated Debt; and (b) any notice of the incurrence of Senior Debt, it
being understood the Lenders may make Advances (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and the Issuing Bank may issue Letters of Credit (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement, or any other agreement, document
or instrument now or hereafter relating to the Senior Debt, without notice to or
authorization of any other Senior Creditor, Holder, Guarantor or any other
guarantor in reliance upon these subordination provisions.

          9.   Lien Subordination. Any lien, security interest, encumbrance,
charge or claim of Holder on any assets or property of Guarantor or any proceeds
or revenues therefrom which Holder may have at any time as security for any
Subordinated Debt shall be, and hereby is, subordinated to all liens, security
interests, or encumbrances now or hereafter granted to Senior Creditors by
Guarantor or by law, notwithstanding the date or order of attachment or
perfection of any such lien, security interest, encumbrance or claim or charge
or the provision of any applicable law. Until Senior Creditors have received
payment in full of the Senior Debt and the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in
the Guaranty) and the Guaranty has terminated, Holder agrees that Holder will
not assert or seek to enforce against Guarantor the Subordinated Debt or any
interest of Holder in any collateral for the Subordinated Debt and that Senior
Creditors may dispose of any or all of the collateral for the Senior Debt free
of any and an liens, including but not limited to liens created in favor of
Holder, through judicial or non-judicial proceedings, in accordance with
applicable law including taking title, after ten (10) days written notice to
Holder. Holder hereby acknowledges that such notice if given ten (10) days prior
to such disposition of any of all of the collateral for the Senior Debt is
sufficient and commercially reasonable. Holder hereby agrees that any such sale
or other disposition by Senior Creditors of so much of the collateral for the
Senior Debt as is necessary to satisfy in full all of the principal of, interest
on and reasonable costs of collection of the Senior Debt shall be free and clear
of all security interest granted to Holder provided the entire proceeds (after
deducting reasonable expenses of sale) are applied in reduction of the Senior
Debt. Upon any Senior Creditor's request, Holder shall execute and deliver any
releases or other documents and agreements that such Senior Creditor in its
reasonable discretion deems necessary to dispose of the collateral for the
Senior Debt free of Holder's interest in same. Holder retains all of its rights
as a

                                    IX-A-6
<PAGE>
 
junior secured creditor with respect to the surplus, if any, arising from any
such disposition of the collateral for the Senior Debt.

          10.  Waiver of Subrogation, Contribution and Indemnity; Repayment of
               ---------------------------------------------------------------
Intercompany Indebtedness.  Guarantor expressly waives any and all rights of
- -------------------------                                                   
subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity, exoneration, contribution or any other
claim which Guarantor may now or hereafter have against Holder or any other
Person (as defined herein) arising from any payments made by Guarantor to the
Senior Creditors pursuant to this Agreement or the Guaranty.  Guarantor further
agrees that it will not enter into any agreement providing, directly or
indirectly, for contribution, reimbursement or repayment by Holder or any other
individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint stock
company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity, or a
government or any political subdivision or agency thereof (hereinafter referred
to as "PERSON") or entity on account of any payment by Guarantor hereunder and
further agrees that any such agreement, whether existing or hereafter entered
into, would be void.  In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the preceding
waiver, Holder acknowledges and agrees that any payment to Senior Creditors, by
Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or the Guaranty shall be deemed, to the
extent of any Subordinated Debt, a payment on account of such Subordinated Debt,
and any such payment shall not constitute the Guarantor a creditor of the Holder
as a result thereof.  Holder further agrees that, upon any such payment to the
Senior Creditors, the Subordinated Debt shall be deemed paid and satisfied in
the amount of any such payment.

          11.  Subordination Not Impaired by Guarantor. No right of any holder
               ---------------------------------------
of Senior Debt to enforce the subordination of the Subordinated Debt shall be
impaired by any act or failure to act by Guarantor or by its failure to comply
with these provisions.

          12.  No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is not intended to
               ----------------------------
give or confer any rights to any person other than the holders of the Senior
Debt. No other party, including Guarantor, is intended to be a third party
beneficiary of this Agreement.

          13.  Legend on Note. If any portion of the Subordinated Debt is
               --------------
evidenced by a promissory note, stock certificate or other instrument, Holder
agrees to promptly add a legend thereto stating that the rights of any holder
thereof are subject to this Agreement.

          14.  Representations and Warranties.  Holder and Guarantor hereby
               ------------------------------                              
represent and warrant that the Subordinated Debt is the legal, valid and binding
obligation of Guarantor in favor of Holder, enforceable against Guarantor in
accordance with its terms.

          15.  No Waiver. No failure on the part of any Lender or the Issuing
               ---------
Bank to exercise, no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect
to, any right or remedy hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof; nor will any
single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by written agreement of the
Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit

                                    IX-A-7
<PAGE>
 
Agreement) the holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Senior Notes, Holder, and Guarantor, and no consent or waiver
hereunder shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the Requisite Lenders
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the holders of at least 66 2/3% in
aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes.

          16.  Joint Action by Senior Creditors; Joint Action by Noteholders.
               -------------------------------------------------------------  
Notwithstanding any provision herein or in the Loan Documents (as defined in the
Credit Agreement), no action may be taken by any Lender or the Issuing Bank
hereunder unless such action is taken on behalf of all the holders of the
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) with the consent of the
Requisite Holders (as defined in the Credit Agreement).  Furthermore,
notwithstanding any provision herein or in the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior
Notes or any of the documents executed in connection with the Senior Note
Agreement, no action may be taken hereunder by the holders of the Senior Notes
unless such action is taken on behalf of all of the holders of the Senior Notes
with the consent of holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding
principal amount of the Senior Notes.

          17.  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and the terms, covenants
               ----------------------
and conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto, and their respective successors and assigns.

          18.  Governing Law. This Agreement will be construed in accordance
               -------------
with and governed by the law of the State of New York.

          19.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
               ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

          20.  Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further
               -----------                                                      
force and effect upon the termination of the Guaranty.  This Agreement shall be
reinstated and revived, and the enforceability hereof shall continue, with
respect to any amount at any time paid to any Senior Creditor which thereafter
shall be required to be restored or returned by such Senior Creditor upon any
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holder, any Guarantor or any other
Person, or otherwise, as if such amount had not been paid or permitted to be
paid.

                                    IX-A-8
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the
day and year first above written.

                          "HOLDER"

                          VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a
                               California corporation

                          By:__________________________________
                               Name: Richard A. Kertson
                               Title: Chief Financial Officer

                          "GUARANTOR"

                          ___________________________________,
                          a ____________ corporation


                          By:________________________________
                               Name:
                               Title:

                                    IX-A-9
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT IX-B

                       [FORM OF SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT]

                            SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT


          This Subordination Agreement (this "AGREEMENT") is made as of _______,
____, by and between VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC. ("HOLDER"), a California
corporation, and _______________ ("GUARANTOR"), a ______________ corporation and
a wholly-owned Subsidiary (as defined herein) of Holder.

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------
                                        
          A.   Holder, Union Bank of California, N.A. as Issuing Bank (the
"ISSUING BANK"), Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent (the "AGENT") and
certain financial institutions ("LENDERS") have entered into that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (as amended, restated, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time, the "CREDIT AGREEMENT").

          B.   Holder has entered into that certain Note Agreement dated as of
July 1, 1992 (as heretofore or hereafter amended, supplemented or restated from
time to time, the "SENIOR NOTE AGREEMENT") pursuant to which Holder has issued
$50,000,000 principal amount of 8.95% Senior Notes due June 30, 1999 (the
"SENIOR NOTES"). (The holders of the Senior Notes, together with the Lenders,
the Issuing Bank and the Agent and their respective successors and assigns, the
"SENIOR CREDITORS").

          C.   Holder is a creditor of Guarantor. The obligations of Guarantor
to Holder are evidenced by a promissory note (the "NOTE") executed by Guarantor
in favor of Holder.

          D.   In order to induce Lenders to make certain loans to Holder and to
induce Issuing Bank to provide certain letters of credit for the account of
Holder and its Subsidiaries, potentially including the Guarantor, and to induce
the holders of the Senior Notes to enter into a waiver and consent with respect
to the Senior Note Agreement, (i) Guarantor has agreed to unconditionally
guarantee the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit
Agreement and related documents and to unconditionally guarantee the obligations
under the Senior Note Agreement and the Senior Notes pursuant to that certain
Guaranty executed by the Guarantor (the "GUARANTY") and (ii) Holder has agreed
to subordinate its right to payment of sums from time to time owed to Holder by
Guarantor, including without limitation all claims evidenced by the Note, to the
prior payment in full in cash of the obligations owed by the Guarantor to the
Senior Creditors under the Guaranty.  For purposes of this Agreement, the term
"SUBSIDIARY" or "SUBSIDIARIES" means any corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (1) the
outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether or not at
the time capital stock of any other class or

                                    IX-B-1
<PAGE>
 
classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence
of any contingency), (2) the interest in the capital or profits of such
partnership or joint venture, or (3) the beneficial interest of such trust or
estate, is at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Holder, by the Holder
and one or more other Subsidiaries of the Holder, or by one or more other
Subsidiaries of the Holder.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above recitals and the
provisions set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, Holder and Guarantor hereby agree as follows for the benefit of
the Senior Creditors:

          1.   Subordination to Senior Debt. Notwithstanding any other provision
               ----------------------------
of the Note, any document or instrument executed by Guarantor in connection
therewith, or any collateral now or hereafter securing the Note, all
indebtedness evidenced by the Note (including without limitation of principal
interest, fees and charges) and all other present or future liabilities,
indebtedness or obligations of Guarantor to Holder (collectively, the
"SUBORDINATED DEBT") are and shall be subordinate and junior in right of
payment, to the extent and in the manner hereinafter set forth, to the prior
indefeasible payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt. "SENIOR DEBT" means (a)
all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations of every kind or nature, absolute
or contingent, now existing or hereafter arising, of Guarantor, its successors
and assigns, to any Senior Creditor, its successors and assigns, including
without limitation the principal of, and interest on (including any interest
accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar
proceeding with respect to Guarantor or Holder and any interest which would have
accrued but for the commencement of any such proceeding), and all premiums,
fees, charges and expenses, constituting Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in
the Guaranty) or otherwise arising under or in connection with the Guaranty, the
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the Senior Notes or the Senior
Note Agreement; and (b) any modifications, amendments, renewals or extensions of
any indebtedness or obligation described in clause (a) above. Except as and to
the extent provided hereinafter, Holder will not ask, demand, sue for, take or
receive from Guarantor, by set-off or in any other manner, whether through the
realization of value from collateral or otherwise, direct or indirect payment
(whether in cash or property), of the whole or any part of the Subordinated
Debt, or any transfer of any property in payment thereof or as security
therefor, unless and until the Guaranty has terminated.

          2.   Distributions in Liquidation and Bankruptcy.  In the event of any
               -------------------------------------------                      
distribution, division or application, partial or complete, voluntary or
involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, of all or any part of the assets
of Guarantor or the proceeds thereof (including any assets now or hereafter
securing any Subordinated Debt), to creditors of Guarantor or upon any
indebtedness of Guarantor, by reason of the liquidation, dissolution or other
winding up, partial or complete, of Guarantor, or any receivership, insolvency
or bankruptcy proceeding, or assignment for the benefit of creditors or
marshalling of assets, or any proceeding by or against Guarantor for any relief
under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or laws relating to the relief of
debtors,

                                    IX-B-2
<PAGE>
 
readjustment of indebtedness, arrangements, reorganizations, compositions or
extensions, or sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Guarantor, then
and in any such event:

               (a)  The holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive
     payment in full in cash of all Senior Debt, whether then due or not due,
     before Holder shall be entitled to receive any payment or other
     distributions on, or with respect to, the Subordinated Debt;

               (b)  Any payment or distribution of any kind or character,
     whether in cash, securities or other property, which but for these
     provisions would be payable or deliverable upon or with respect to the
     Subordinated Debt shall instead be paid or delivered directly to the
     holders of the Senior Debt for pro rata application on the Senior Debt,
                                    --------
     whether then due or not due, until the Senior Debt shall have first been
     fully and indefeasibly paid in cash;

               (c)  Holder hereby irrevocably authorizes and empowers each of
     the Senior Creditors, and appoints each Senior Creditor as attorney-in-
     fact, to demand, sue for, collect and receive every such payment or
     distribution and give acquittance therefor, and to file and vote claims (in
     bankruptcy proceedings or otherwise) and take such other actions, in such
     Senior Creditor's own name or otherwise, as such Senior Creditor may deem
     necessary or advisable for the enforcement of these provisions. Holder
     shall duly and promptly take such action as may be reasonably requested by
     Senior Creditors to assist in the collection of the Subordinated Debt for
     the pro rata account of the holders of the Senior Debt, and to file
         --------
     appropriate proofs of claim with respect to the Subordinated Debt and to
     vote the same, and to execute and deliver to any Senior Creditor on demand
     such powers of attorney, proofs of claim, assignments of claim or other
     instruments as may be reasonably requested by such Senior Creditor to
     enable such Senior Creditor or any other holder of the Senior Debt to
     enforce any and all claims upon or with respect to the Subordinated Debt
     and to collect and receive any and all payments or distributions which may
     be payable or deliverable at any time upon or with respect to the
     Subordinated Debt; and

               (d)  Should any direct or indirect payment (other than a payment
     permitted to be made pursuant to Paragraph 3 hereof) be made to Holder upon
     or with respect to the Subordinated Debt prior to the payment in full of
     the Senior Debt in accordance with these provisions, Holder will forthwith
     deliver the same to Senior Creditors, for the pro rata benefit of the
                                                   --------
     holders of the Senior Debt, in precisely the form received (except for the
     endorsement or assignment of Holder where necessary) for pro rata
                                                              --------
     application on the Senior Debt, whether then due or not due. Until so
     delivered, the payment or distribution shall be held in trust by Holder as
     property of the holders of the Senior Debt. In the event of the failure of
     Holder to make any such endorsement or assignment, any Senior Creditor or
     any of its officers or employees, are hereby irrevocably authorized to make
     the same.

                                    IX-B-3
<PAGE>
 
          3.   Permitted Payments. Subject to the provisions of Paragraphs 2 and
               ------------------
4 of this Agreement, Guarantor may pay to Holder and Holder may accept payment
of interest and principal on account of the Subordinated Debt in a manner
consistent with the past practices of Holder and Guarantor prior to the date of
this Agreement.

          4.   Default on Senior Debt.  In the event that any Potential Event of
               ----------------------                                           
Default or Event of Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall occur and
be continuing under the Credit Agreement or any Default or Event of Default (as
defined in the Senior Note Agreement) shall occur and be continuing under the
Senior Note Agreement, unless and until all Guaranteed Obligations (as defined
in the Guaranty), Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and
obligations under the Senior Notes and the Senior Note Agreement shall have been
indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the right of Holder to receive any payments
or other distributions with respect to the Subordinated Debt shall be suspended
during the continuance of such default.  If, notwithstanding the foregoing,
Holder shall receive any payment or distribution of any kind (whether from any
collateral securing such debt or otherwise), such payment or distribution shall
be received in trust for, and shall be delivered to Senior Creditors, for the
pro rata benefit of the holders of the Senior Debt, promptly in precisely the
- --------                                                                     
form received (except for the endorsement or assignment of Holder where
necessary) for pro rata application on the Senior Debt, whether then due or not
               --------                                                        
due.  Until so delivered, the payment or distribution shall be held in trust by
Holder as property of the holders of Senior Debt.

          5.   No Acceleration or Exercise of Remedies. So long as any Senior
               ---------------------------------------
Debt remains unpaid or any Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty),
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or obligations under the Senior
Notes and the Senior Note Agreement remain outstanding, Holder will not (a)
accelerate, or cause to be accelerated, the Subordinated Debt or otherwise cause
or permit the Subordinated Debt to become due and payable; or (b) exercise any
remedies with respect to the Subordinated Debt or any collateral at any time
securing payment or performance thereof unless and until, in each such case, all
of the Senior Debt shall have indefeasibly paid in full in cash, or the
Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the holders of at
least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes each
shall have otherwise consented in writing.

          6.   Bankruptcy. Until all of the Senior Debt and all of the
               ----------
Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty), Obligations (as defined in
the Credit Agreement) and obligations under the Senior Notes and under the
Senior Note Agreement shall have been indefeasibly paid in full, Holder will not
without the prior consent of the Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and the holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of
outstanding Senior Notes, commence, or join with any other person in commencing,
any proceeding against any person with respect to the Subordinated Debt under
any bankruptcy, reorganization, readjustment of debt, dissolution, receivership,
liquidation or insolvency law or statute now or hereafter in effect in any
jurisdiction.

          7.   Continuing Subordination.  The subordination effected by these
               ------------------------                                      
provisions is a continuing subordination and may not be modified or terminated
by

                                    IX-B-4
<PAGE>
 
Holder or any other holder of any Subordinated Debt until all of the Senior Debt
and all of the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty), Obligations
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and obligations under the Senior Notes and
the Senior Note Agreement shall have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash.  At
any time and from time to time, without consent of or notice to Holder or any
other holder of Subordinated Debt, and without impairing or affecting the
obligations of any of them hereunder:

               (a)  The time for Guarantors performance of, or compliance with,
     any of its agreements contained in the Guaranty or any other agreement,
     instrument or document relating to the Senior Debt, may be modified or
     extended or such performance or compliance may be waived;

               (b)  Each Lender, the Issuing Bank and each holder of the Senior
     Notes may exercise or refrain from exercising any rights under the Credit
     Agreement, the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes, the Guaranty or any
     other guaranty or any other agreement, instrument or document relating to
     the Senior Debt;

               (c)  The Credit Agreement, the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior
     Notes, the Guaranty or any other agreement, instrument or document relating
     to the Senior Debt, may be revised, amended or otherwise modified for the
     purpose of adding or changing any provisions thereof (including, but not
     limited to, an increase in the interest charges), or changing in any manner
     the rights of any Lender, Issuing Bank, any holder of Senior Notes, Holder,
     Guarantor, or any other guarantor thereunder;

               (d)  Payment of the Senior Debt or any portion thereof may be
     extended or any notes evidencing such Senior Debt may be renewed in whole
     or in part;

               (e)  The maturity of the Senior Debt may be accelerated, and any
     collateral security therefor or any other rights of Senior Creditors may be
     exchanged, sold, surrendered, released or otherwise dealt with in
     accordance with the terms of any present or future agreement with Holder,
     Guarantor or any other guarantor and any other agreement of subordination
     (and the debt covered thereby) may be surrendered, released or discharged,
     or the terms thereof modified or otherwise dealt with in any manner;

               (f)  Any person liable in any manner for payment of the Senior
     Debt may be released by holders of Senior Debt; and

               (g)  Notwithstanding the occurrence of any of the foregoing,
     these subordination provisions shall remain in full force and effect with
     respect to the Senior Debt, as the same shall have been extended, renewed,
     modified or refunded.

                                    IX-B-5
<PAGE>
 
      8.   Waivers.  Holder hereby waives, and agrees not to assert any right,
           -------                                                            
now or hereafter existing, to require (a) any Senior Creditor to proceed against
or exhaust any collateral at any time securing the Senior Debt, the Guaranteed
Obligations (as defined in the Guaranty), the Obligations (as defined in the
Credit Agreement) or the obligations under the Senior Notes or the Senior Note
Agreement, or to marshal any assets in favor of Holder or any other holder of
Subordinated Debt; and (b) any notice of the incurrence of Senior Debt, it being
understood the Lenders may make Advances (as defined in the Credit Agreement)
and the Issuing Bank may issue Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) under the Credit Agreement, or any other agreement, document or
instrument now or hereafter relating to the Senior Debt, without notice to or
authorization of any other Senior Creditor, Holder, Guarantor or any other
guarantor in reliance upon these subordination provisions.

      9.   Lien Subordination.  Any lien, security interest, encumbrance, charge
           ------------------                                                   
or claim of Holder on any assets or property of Guarantor or any proceeds or
revenues therefrom which Holder may have at any time as security for any
Subordinated Debt shall be, and hereby is, subordinated to all liens, security
interests, or encumbrances now or hereafter granted to Senior Creditors by
Guarantor or by law, notwithstanding the date or order of attachment or
perfection of any such lien, security interest, encumbrance or claim or charge
or the provision of any applicable law. Until Senior Creditors have received
payment in full of the Senior Debt and the Guaranteed Obligations (as defined in
the Guaranty) and the Guaranty has terminated, Holder agrees that Holder will
not assert or seek to enforce against Guarantor the Subordinated Debt or any
interest of Holder in any collateral for the Subordinated Debt and that Senior
Creditors may dispose of any or all of the collateral for the Senior Debt free
of any and an liens, including but not limited to liens created in favor of
Holder, through judicial or non-judicial proceedings, in accordance with
applicable law including taking title, after ten (10) days written notice to
Holder. Holder hereby acknowledges that such notice if given ten (10) days prior
to such disposition of any of all of the collateral for the Senior Debt is
sufficient and commercially reasonable. Holder hereby agrees that any such sale
or other disposition by Senior Creditors of so much of the collateral for the
Senior Debt as is necessary to satisfy in full all of the principal of, interest
on and reasonable costs of collection of the Senior Debt shall be free and clear
of all security interest granted to Holder provided the entire proceeds (after
deducting reasonable expenses of sale) are applied in reduction of the Senior
Debt. Upon any Senior Creditor's request, Holder shall execute and deliver any
releases or other documents and agreements that such Senior Creditor in its
reasonable discretion deems necessary to dispose of the collateral for the
Senior Debt free of Holder's interest in same. Holder retains all of its rights
as a junior secured creditor with respect to the surplus, if any, arising from
any such disposition of the collateral for the Senior Debt.

      10.  Waiver of Subrogation, Contribution and Indemnity; Repayment of
           ---------------------------------------------------------------
Intercompany Indebtedness.  Guarantor expressly waives any and all rights of
- -------------------------                                                   
subrogation, reimbursement, indemnity, exoneration, contribution or any other
claim which Guarantor may now or hereafter have against Holder or any other
Person (as defined herein) arising from any payments made by Guarantor to the
Senior Creditors pursuant to this Agreement or the Guaranty.  Guarantor further
agrees that it will not enter into any

                                    IX-B-6
<PAGE>
 
agreement providing, directly or indirectly, for contribution, reimbursement or
repayment by Holder or any other individual, partnership, corporation (including
a business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint
venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency
thereof (hereinafter referred to as "PERSON") or entity on account of any
payment by Guarantor hereunder and further agrees that any such agreement,
whether existing or hereafter entered into, would be void. In furtherance, and
not in limitation, of the preceding waiver, Holder acknowledges and agrees that
any payment to Senior Creditors, by Guarantor pursuant to this Agreement or the
Guaranty shall be deemed, to the extent of any Subordinated Debt, a payment on
account of such Subordinated Debt, and any such payment shall not constitute the
Guarantor a creditor of the Holder as a result thereof. Holder further agrees
that, upon any such payment to the Senior Creditors, the Subordinated Debt shall
be deemed paid and satisfied in the amount of any such payment.

      11.  Subordination Not Impaired by Guarantor.  No right of any holder of
           ---------------------------------------                            
Senior Debt to enforce the subordination of the Subordinated Debt shall be
impaired by any act or failure to act by Guarantor or by its failure to comply
with these provisions.

      12.  No Third Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement is not intended to give
           ----------------------------                                         
or confer any rights to any person other than the holders of the Senior Debt.
No other party, including Guarantor, is intended to be a third party beneficiary
of this Agreement.

      13.  Legend on Note.  If any portion of the Subordinated Debt is evidenced
           --------------                                                       
by a promissory note, stock certificate or other instrument, Holder agrees to
promptly add a legend thereto stating that the rights of any holder thereof are
subject to this Agreement.

      14.  Representations and Warranties.  Holder and Guarantor hereby
           ------------------------------                              
represent and warrant that the Subordinated Debt is the legal, valid and binding
obligation of Guarantor in favor of Holder, enforceable against Guarantor in
accordance with its terms.

      15.  No Waiver.  No failure on the part of any Lender or the Issuing Bank
           ---------                                                           
to exercise, no delay in exercising, and no course of dealing with respect to,
any right or remedy hereunder will operate as a waiver thereof; nor will any
single or partial exercise of any right or remedy hereunder preclude any other
or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified except by written agreement of the
Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) the holders of at least
66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior Notes, Holder, and
Guarantor, and no consent or waiver hereunder shall be valid unless in writing
and signed by the Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the
holders of at least 66 2/3% in aggregate principal amount of outstanding Senior
Notes.

      16.  Joint Action by Senior Creditors; Joint Action by Noteholders.
           -------------------------------------------------------------  
Notwithstanding any provision herein or in the Loan Documents (as defined in the
Credit Agreement), no action may be taken by any Lender or the Issuing Bank
hereunder unless

                                    IX-B-7
<PAGE>
 
such action is taken on behalf of all the holders of the Obligations (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) with the consent of the Requisite Holders (as defined
in the Credit Agreement). Furthermore, notwithstanding any provision herein or
in the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes or any of the documents executed
in connection with the Senior Note Agreement, no action may be taken hereunder
by the holders of the Senior Notes unless such action is taken on behalf of all
of the holders of the Senior Notes with the consent of holders of not less than
66 2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes.

      17.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement, and the terms, covenants and
           ----------------------                                               
conditions hereof, shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto, and their respective successors and assigns.

      18.  Governing Law.  This Agreement will be construed in accordance with
           -------------                                                      
and governed by the law of the State of New York.

      19.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
           ------------                                                
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

      20.  Termination.  This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further
           -----------                                                      
force and effect upon the termination of the Guaranty.  This Agreement shall be
reinstated and revived, and the enforceability hereof shall continue, with
respect to any amount at any time paid to any Senior Creditor which thereafter
shall be required to be restored or returned by such Senior Creditor upon any
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Holder, any Guarantor or any other
Person, or otherwise, as if such amount had not been paid or permitted to be
paid.

                                    IX-B-8
<PAGE>
 
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the day
and year first above written.

                          "HOLDER"

                          VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a
                               California corporation

                          By:__________________________________
                               Name: 
                               Title:

                          "GUARANTOR"

                          ____________________________________,
                          a ____________ corporation


                          By:_________________________________
                               Name:
                               Title:

                                    IX-B-9
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT X

                   [FORM OF CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS]


                        CERTIFICATE RE NON-BANK STATUS


      Reference is hereby made to that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June
27, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
to the date hereof, being the "CREDIT AGREEMENT") by and among Varco
International, Inc., a California corporation, the financial institutions listed
therein as Lenders, and Union Bank of California, N.A., as Agent.  Pursuant to
subsection 2.7B(iii) of the Credit Agreement, the undersigned hereby certifies
that it is not a "bank" or other Person described in Section 881(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.



                                    [NAME OF LENDER]

                                    By: ____________________
                                    Title: __________________

                                      X-1
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT XI

                    [FORM OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT]

                         COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT



      This COLLATERAL ACCOUNT AGREEMENT (this "AGREEMENT") is dated as of June
27, 1997 and entered into by and between VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California
corporation ("PLEDGOR"), and UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A., as agent for and
representative of (in such capacity herein called "SECURED PARTY") the financial
institutions ("LENDERS") party to the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined).


                            PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS

      A.   Secured Party and Lenders have entered into a Credit Agreement dated
as of June 27, 1997 (said Credit Agreement, as it may hereafter be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, being the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT", the terms defined therein and not otherwise defined herein being
used herein as therein defined) with Pledgor pursuant to which Lenders have made
certain commitments, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit
Agreement, to extend certain credit facilities to Pledgor.

      B.   It is a condition precedent to the initial extensions of credit by
Lenders under the Credit Agreement that Pledgor shall have granted the security
interests and undertaken the obligations contemplated by this Agreement.

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and in order to induce
Lenders to make Loans and issue Letters of Credit under the Credit Agreement and
for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are
hereby acknowledged, Pledgor hereby agrees with Secured Party as follows:

      SECTION 1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.  The following terms used in this
                 -------------------                                   
Agreement shall have the following meanings:

      "COLLATERAL" means (i) the Collateral Account, (ii) all amounts on deposit
from time to time in the Collateral Account, (iii) all interest, cash,
instruments, securities and other property from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed in respect of or in exchange for any or all
of the Collateral, and (iv) to the extent not covered by clauses (i) through
(iii) above, all proceeds of any or all of the foregoing Collateral.

      "COLLATERAL ACCOUNT" means the restricted deposit account established and
maintained by Secured Party pursuant to Section 2(a).

                                     XI-1
<PAGE>
 
      "SECURED OBLIGATIONS" means (a) until such time as the Senior Notes have
been paid in full, subject to the proviso to clause fourth of Section 3(b)
                                                    ------                
hereof, all obligations and liabilities arising out of the Credit Agreement, and
all extensions and renewals thereof, in connection with the Letters of Credit,
including reimbursement obligations, fees, expenses and indemnities, and (b)
after the Senior Notes have been paid in full all obligations and liabilities of
every nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under or arising out of or in
connection with the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all
extensions or renewals thereof, whether for principal, interest (including
interest that, but for the filing of a petition in bankruptcy with respect to
Pledgor, would accrue on such obligations), reimbursement of amounts drawn under
Letters of Credit, fees, expenses, indemnities or otherwise, in the case of (a)
and (b) above, whether voluntary or involuntary, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, liquidated or unliquidated, whether or not jointly owed with others,
and whether or not from time to time decreased or extinguished and later
increased, created or incurred, and all or any portion of such obligations or
liabilities that are paid, to the extent all or any part of such payment is
avoided or recovered directly or indirectly from Secured Party or any Lender as
a preference, fraudulent transfer or otherwise, and all obligations of every
nature of Pledgor now or hereafter existing under this Agreement.

      SECTION 2.  ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.
                  ------------------------------------------------- 

      (a) Secured Party is hereby authorized to establish and maintain at its
office at 445 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA  90071, as a blocked
account in the name of Secured Party and under the sole dominion and control of
Secured Party, a restricted deposit account designated as "Varco International,
Inc. Collateral Account".

      (b) The Collateral Account shall be operated in accordance with the terms
of this Agreement.

      (c) All amounts at any time held in the Collateral Account shall be
beneficially owned by Pledgor but shall be held in the name of Secured Party
hereunder, for the benefit of Lenders, as collateral security for the Secured
Obligations upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.  Pledgor shall have
no right to withdraw, transfer or, except as expressly set forth herein,
otherwise receive any funds deposited into the Collateral Account.

      (d) Anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Collateral Account shall be subject to such applicable laws, and such applicable
regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of any
other appropriate banking or governmental authority, as may now or hereafter be
in effect.

                                     XI-2
<PAGE>
 
      SECTION 3.  DEPOSITS OF CASH COLLATERAL.
                  --------------------------- 

      (a) All deposits of funds in the Collateral Account shall be made by wire
transfer (or, if applicable, by intra-bank transfer from another account of
Pledgor) of immediately available funds, in each case addressed as Secured Party
may direct.

Pledgor shall, promptly after initiating a transfer of funds to the Collateral
Account, give notice to Secured Party by telefacsimile of the date, amount and
method of delivery of such deposit.

      (b) If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and, in
accordance with Section 8 of the Credit Agreement, Pledgor is required to pay to
Secured Party an amount (the "AGGREGATE AVAILABLE AMOUNT") equal to the maximum
amount that may at any time be drawn under all Letters of Credit then
outstanding under the Credit Agreement, Pledgor shall deliver funds in such an
amount for deposit in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section 3(a).
If for any reason the aggregate amount delivered by Pledgor for deposit in the
Collateral Account as aforesaid is less than the Aggregate Available Amount, the
aggregate amount so delivered by Pledgor shall be apportioned among all
outstanding Letters of Credit for purposes of this Section 3(b) in accordance
with the ratio of the maximum amount available for drawing under each such
Letter of Credit (as to such Letter of Credit, the "MAXIMUM AVAILABLE AMOUNT")
to the Aggregate Available Amount.  Upon any drawing under any outstanding
Letter of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has deposited in the Collateral
Account any amounts described above, Secured Party shall apply such amounts to
reimburse the Issuing Lender for the amount of such drawing.  In the event of
cancellation or expiration of any Letter of Credit in respect of which Pledgor
has deposited in the Collateral Account any amounts described above, or in the
event of any reduction in the Maximum Available Amount under such Letter of
Credit, Secured Party shall apply the amount then on deposit in the Collateral
Account in respect of such Letter of Credit (less, in the case of such a
                                             ----                       
reduction, the Maximum Available Amount under such Letter of Credit immediately
after such reduction) first, to the payment of any amounts payable to Secured
                      -----                                                  
Party pursuant to Section 13, second, to the extent of any excess, to the cash
                              ------                                          
collateralization pursuant to the terms of this Agreement of any outstanding
Letters of Credit in respect of which Pledgor has failed to pay all or a portion
of the amounts described above (such cash collateralization to be apportioned
among all such Letters of Credit in the manner described above), third, to the
                                                                 -----        
extent of any further excess, to the payment of any other outstanding Secured
Obligations in such order as Secured Party shall elect, and fourth, to the
                                                            ------        
extent of any further excess, to the payment to whomsoever shall be lawfully
entitled to receive such funds; provided that in the event the holders of the
                                --------                                     
Senior Notes have received cash collateral pursuant to Section 7.9(l) of the
Senior Note Agreement, Secured Party shall not be required to release amounts
pursuant to this clause fourth (and such amounts shall secure the Obligations)
                        ------                                                
unless an equal amount has been released by the holders of the Senior Notes from
the lien contemplated in Section 7.9(l) of the Senior Note Agreement.

      SECTION 4.  PLEDGE OF SECURITY FOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS.  Pledgor hereby
                  ------------------------------------------                 
pledges and assigns to Secured Party, and hereby grants to Secured Party a
security interest in, all of Pledgor's right, title and interest in and to the
Collateral as collateral

                                     XI-3
<PAGE>
 
security for the prompt payment or performance in full when due, whether at
stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration, acceleration, demand or
otherwise (including the payment of amounts that would become due but for the
operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11
U.S.C. (S)362(a)), of all Secured Obligations.

      SECTION 5.  NO INVESTMENT OF AMOUNTS IN THE COLLATERAL ACCOUNT; INTEREST
                  ------------------------------------------------------------
ON AMOUNTS IN THE COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.
- ------------------------------------ 

      (a) Cash held by Secured Party in the Collateral Account shall not be
invested by Secured Party but instead shall be maintained as a cash deposit in
the Collateral Account pending application thereof as elsewhere provided in this
Agreement.

      (b) To the extent permitted under Regulation Q of the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System, any cash held in the Collateral Account shall
bear interest at the standard rate paid by Secured Party to its customers for
deposits of like amounts and terms.

      (c) Subject to Secured Party's rights under Section 12, any interest
earned on deposits of cash in the Collateral Account in accordance with Section
5(b) shall be deposited directly in, and held in the Collateral Account.

      SECTION 6.  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  Pledgor represents and
                  ------------------------------                         
warrants as follows:

      (a) Ownership of Collateral.  Pledgor is (or at the time of transfer
          -----------------------                                         
thereof to Secured Party will be) the legal and beneficial owner of the
Collateral from time to time transferred by Pledgor to Secured Party, free and
clear of any Lien except for the security interest created by this Agreement.

      (b) Governmental Authorizations.  No authorization, approval or other
          ---------------------------                                      
action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or
regulatory body is required for either (i) the grant by Pledgor of the security
interest granted hereby, (ii) the execution, delivery or performance of this
Agreement by Pledgor, or (iii) the perfection of or the exercise by Secured
Party of its rights and remedies hereunder (except as may have been taken by or
at the direction of Pledgor).

      (c) Perfection.  The pledge and assignment of the Collateral pursuant to
          ----------                                                          
this Agreement creates a valid and perfected first priority security interest in
the Collateral, securing the payment of the Secured Obligations.

      (d) Other Information.  All information heretofore, herein or hereafter
          -----------------                                                  
supplied to Secured Party by or on behalf of Pledgor with respect to the
Collateral is accurate and complete in all respects.

      SECTION 7.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  Pledgor agrees that from time to time, at
                  ------------------                                            
the expense of Pledgor, Pledgor will promptly execute and deliver all further
instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be necessary or
desirable, or that

                                     XI-4
<PAGE>
 
Secured Party may request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest
granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable Secured Party to exercise
and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Pledgor will:  (a) execute and
file such financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, and such
other instruments or notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as Secured
Party may request, in order to perfect and preserve the security interests
granted or purported to be granted hereby and (b) at Secured Party's request,
appear in and defend any action or proceeding that may affect Pledgor's
beneficial title to or Secured Party's security interest in all or any part of
the Collateral.

      SECTION 8.  TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS.  Pledgor agrees that it will not
                  -------------------------                                  
(a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any
of the Collateral or (b) create or suffer to exist any Lien upon or with respect
to any of the Collateral, except for the security interest under this Agreement.

      SECTION 9.  SECURED PARTY APPOINTED ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  Pledgor hereby
                  ----------------------------------------                 
irrevocably appoints Secured Party as Pledgor's attorney-in-fact, with full
authority in the place and stead of Pledgor and in the name of Pledgor, Secured
Party or otherwise, from time to time in Secured Party's discretion to take any
action and to execute any instrument that Secured Party may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including to file one or
more financing or continuation statements, or amendments thereto, relative to
all or any part of the Collateral without the signature of Pledgor.

      SECTION 10.  SECURED PARTY MAY PERFORM.  If Pledgor fails to perform any
                   -------------------------                                  
agreement contained herein, Secured Party may itself perform, or cause
performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of Secured Party incurred in
connection therewith shall be payable by Pledgor under Section 14.

      SECTION 11.  STANDARD OF CARE.  The powers conferred on Secured Party
                   ----------------                                        
hereunder are solely to protect its interest in the Collateral and shall not
impose any duty upon it to exercise any such powers.  Except for the exercise of
reasonable care in the custody of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, Secured Party shall
have no duty as to any Collateral, it being understood that Secured Party shall
have no responsibility for (a) taking any necessary steps (other than steps
taken in accordance with the standard of care set forth above to maintain
possession of the Collateral) to preserve rights against any parties with
respect to any Collateral or (b) taking any necessary steps to collect or
realize upon the Secured Obligations or any guarantee therefor, or any part
thereof, or any of the Collateral.  Secured Party shall be deemed to have
exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of Collateral in its
possession if such Collateral is accorded treatment substantially equal to that
which Secured Party accords its own property of like kind.

      SECTION 12. REMEDIES.  Subject to the provisions of Section 3(b), Secured
                  --------                                                     
Party may exercise in respect of the Collateral, in addition to all other rights
and remedies otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a secured
party on

                                     XI-5
<PAGE>
 
default under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in any relevant
jurisdiction (the "CODE") (whether or not the Code applies to the affected
Collateral).

      SECTION 13.  INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.
                   ---------------------- 

      (a) Pledgor agrees to indemnify Secured Party and each Lender from and
against any and all claims, losses and liabilities in any way relating to,
growing out of or resulting from this Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereby (including enforcement of this Agreement), except to the
extent such claims, losses or liabilities result solely from Secured Party's or
such Lender's gross negligence or willful misconduct as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

      (b) Pledgor shall pay to Secured Party upon demand the amount of any and
all costs and expenses, including the reasonable fees and expenses of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, that Secured Party may incur in
connection with (i) the administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody,
preservation, use or operation of, or the sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, any of the Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of
any of the rights of Secured Party hereunder, or (iv) the failure by Pledgor to
perform or observe any of the provisions hereof.

      SECTION 14.  CONTINUING SECURITY INTEREST; TRANSFER OF LOANS.  This
                   -----------------------------------------------       
Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral and
shall (a) remain in full force and effect until the payment in full of the
Secured Obligations, the cancellation or termination of the Commitments and the
cancellation or expiration of all outstanding Letters of Credit, (b) be binding
upon Pledgor, its successors and assigns, and (c) inure, together with the
rights and remedies of Secured Party hereunder, to the benefit of Secured Party
and its successors, transferees and assigns.  Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing clause (c), but subject to the provisions of subsection 10.1 of
the Credit Agreement, any Lender may assign or otherwise transfer any Loans held
by it to any other Person, and such other Person shall thereupon become vested
with all the benefits in respect thereof granted to Lenders herein or otherwise.
Upon the payment in full of all Secured Obligations, the cancellation or
termination of the Commitments and the cancellation or expiration of all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the security interest granted hereby shall
terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall revert to Pledgor.  Upon any
such termination Secured Party shall, at Pledgor's expense, execute and deliver
to Pledgor such documents as Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination and Pledgor shall be entitled to the return, upon its request and at
its expense, against receipt and without recourse to Secured Party, of such of
the Collateral as shall not have been otherwise applied pursuant to the terms
hereof.

      SECTION 15.  SECURED PARTY AS AGENT.
                   ---------------------- 

      (a) Secured Party has been appointed to act as Secured Party hereunder by
Lenders.  Secured Party shall be obligated, and shall have the right hereunder,
to make demands, to give notices, to exercise or refrain from exercising any
rights, and to take or refrain from taking any action (including the release or
substitution of Collateral), solely in accordance with this Agreement and the
Credit Agreement.

                                     XI-6
<PAGE>
 
      (b) Secured Party shall at all times be the same Person that is Agent
under the Credit Agreement.  Written notice of resignation by Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute notice of
resignation as Secured Party under this Agreement; removal of Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute removal as Secured
Party under this Agreement; and appointment of a successor Agent pursuant to
subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement shall also constitute appointment of a
successor Secured Party under this Agreement.  Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Agent under subsection 9.5 of the Credit Agreement by a successor
Agent, that successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with
all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring or removed Secured
Party under this Agreement, and the retiring or removed Secured Party under this
Agreement shall promptly (i) transfer to such successor Secured Party all sums
held by Secured Party hereunder (which shall be deposited in a new Collateral
Account established and maintained by such successor Secured Party), together
with all records and other documents necessary or appropriate in connection with
the performance of the duties of the successor Secured Party under this
Agreement, and (ii) execute and deliver to such successor Secured Party such
amendments to financing statements, and take such other actions, as may be
necessary or appropriate in connection with the assignment to such successor
Secured Party of the security interests created hereunder, whereupon such
retiring or removed Secured Party shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations under this Agreement.  After any retiring or removed Agent's
resignation or removal hereunder as Secured Party, the provisions of this
Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be
taken by it under this Agreement while it was Secured Party hereunder.

      SECTION 16.  AMENDMENTS; ETC.  No amendment, modification, termination or
                   ---------------                                             
waiver of any provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by
Pledgor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by Secured Party and, in the case of any such amendment or
modification, by Pledgor.  Any such waiver or consent shall be effective only in
the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

      SECTION 17.  NOTICES.  Unless otherwise specifically provided herein, any
                   -------                                                     
notice or other communication herein required or permitted to be given shall be
in writing and may be personally served, telexed or sent by telefacsimile or
United States mail or courier service and shall be deemed to have been given
when delivered in person or by courier service, upon receipt of telefacsimile or
telex, or three Business Days after depositing it in the United States mail with
postage prepaid and properly addressed.  For the purposes hereof, the address of
each party hereto shall be as provided in subsection 10.8 of the Credit
Agreement.

      SECTION 18.  FAILURE OR INDULGENCE NOT WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE.  No
                   -----------------------------------------------------     
failure or delay on the part of Secured Party in the exercise of any power,
right or privilege hereunder shall impair such power, right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence therein, nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power, right or privilege preclude any
other or further exercise thereof or of any other power, right or privilege.
All rights and remedies existing under this Agreement are cumulative to, and not
exclusive of, any rights or remedies otherwise available.

                                     XI-7
<PAGE>
 
      SECTION 19.  SEVERABILITY.  In case any provision in or obligation under
                   ------------                                               
this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction,
the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions or
obligations, or of such provision or obligation in any other jurisdiction, shall
not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

      SECTION 20.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this Agreement
                   --------                                                    
are included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a
part of this Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

      SECTION 21.  GOVERNING LAW; TERMS.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND
                   --------------------                                    
OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE
CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING SECTION 1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF
CALIFORNIA), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT THAT THE CODE PROVIDES THAT THE PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST
HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE
GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.
Unless otherwise defined herein or in the Credit Agreement, terms used in
Articles 8 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in the State of California are
used herein as therein defined.

      SECTION 22.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  ALL JUDICIAL
                   ----------------------------------------------               
PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT AGAINST PLEDGOR ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT JURISDICTION IN THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND BY EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT PLEDGOR
ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY
ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT.  Pledgor hereby
agrees that service of all process in any such proceeding in any such court may
be made by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to Pledgor at
its address provided in Section 17, such service being hereby acknowledged by
Pledgor to be sufficient for personal jurisdiction in any action against Pledgor
in any such court and to be otherwise effective and binding service in every
respect.  Nothing herein shall affect the right to serve process in any other
manner permitted by law or shall limit the right of Secured Party to bring
proceedings against Pledgor in the courts of any other jurisdiction.

      SECTION 23.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  PLEDGOR AND SECURED PARTY HEREBY AGREE
                   --------------------                                         
TO WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION
BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT.  The scope of this waiver is
intended to be all-encompassing of any and all disputes that may be filed in any
court and that relate to the subject matter of this transaction, including
contract claims, tort claims, breach of duty claims, and all other common law
and statutory claims.  Pledgor and Secured Party each acknowledge that this

                                     XI-8
<PAGE>
 
waiver is a material inducement for Pledgor and Secured Party to enter into a
business relationship, that Pledgor and Secured Party have already relied on
this waiver in entering into this Agreement and that each will continue to rely
on this waiver in their related future dealings.  Pledgor and Secured Party
further warrant and represent that each has reviewed this waiver with its legal
counsel, and that each knowingly and voluntarily waives its jury trial rights
following consultation with legal counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING
THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER ORALLY OR IN WRITING (OTHER THAN BY A MUTUAL
WRITTEN WAIVER SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO THIS SECTION 23 AND EXECUTED BY EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO), AND THIS WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS AGREEMENT.  In the event of
litigation, this Agreement may be filed as a written consent to a trial by the
court.

      SECTION 24.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
                   ------------                                                
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an original, but all such
counterparts together shall constitute but one and the same instrument;
signature pages may be detached from multiple separate counterparts and attached
to a single counterpart so that all signature pages are physically attached to
the same document.



                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                     XI-9
<PAGE>
 
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Pledgor and Secured Party have caused this Agreement
to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.


                          VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                          By: __________________________________
                            Title:



                          UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A., as Agent, 
                          Secured Party


                          By: __________________________________
                            Title:


                                     XI-10
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT XII-A

                         [FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY]

                         AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY


          AMENDED AND RESTATED GUARANTY (this "GUARANTY"), dated as of June 27,
1997, made by ________________, a ________________ corporation ("GUARANTOR").

                                   RECITALS
                                   --------
                                        
          A.   Citicorp USA, Inc., Citibank N.A. and VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a California corporation (the "COMPANY") are parties to that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of February 25, 1993, as amended (the "CITICORP AGREEMENT").
The Company now seeks to terminate the commitments under such agreement and
enter into a new credit facility evidenced by the Credit Agreement referred to
below.

          B.   Certain financial institutions ("LENDERS"), as listed on the
signature pages of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), UNION BANK OF
CALIFORNIA, N.A., as agent ("AGENT") for and representative of the Lenders and
as issuing lender ("ISSUING LENDER" and together with Lenders, Agent and their
respective successors and assigns, the "BANK PARTIES") and Company have entered
into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (as it may be
amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT").

          C.   The persons identified on Schedule 1 hereto (the "NOTEHOLDERS,"
and together with the Bank Parties, the "GUARANTEED PARTIES") are the holders of
the Company's 8.95% SENIOR NOTES due June 30, 1999 (the "SENIOR NOTES") issued
by the Company pursuant to that certain Note Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992
(as heretofore or hereafter amended, supplemented or restated from time to time,
the "SENIOR NOTE AGREEMENT").

          D.   Guarantor is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company.  For
purposes of this Guaranty, the term "SUBSIDIARY" or "SUBSIDIARIES" means any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or estate of which (or in which)
more than 50% of (1) the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power
to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective
of whether or not at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of
such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any
contingency), (2) the interest in the capital or profits of such partnership or
joint venture, or (3) the beneficial interest of such trust or estate, is at the
time directly or indirectly owned by the Company, by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries of the Company, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the
Company.

          E.   Guarantor has previously executed and delivered a Guaranty dated
as of _________________ (the "EXISTING GUARANTY") which guarantees the Company's
obligations under the Citicorp Agreement and the Senior Note Agreement.
<PAGE>
 
          F.  Guarantor may have received or may receive from the Company,
directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Senior
Notes and Guarantor has or may otherwise directly or indirectly benefit from the
issuance and sale of the Senior Notes.

          G.  It is anticipated that Guarantor may receive from the Company,
directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the Loans (as defined in the Credit
Agreement), that Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) may be
issued for the account of the Guarantor or that the Guarantor may otherwise
directly or indirectly benefit from the issuances of such Letters of Credit and
other credit extensions made under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof.

          H.  It is a condition precedent to the making of the initial credit
advances by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the issuance of Letters
of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) by the Issuing Lender under the
Credit Agreement that the Existing Guaranty be amended and restated in its
entirety as set forth herein.

          I.  The Credit Agreement contains certain provisions which, absent a
waiver and consent from the Noteholders (the "WAIVER"), would or might violate
certain provisions of the Senior Note Agreement, and it is a condition precedent
to the effectiveness of the Waiver that the Existing Guaranty be amended and
restated in its entirety as set forth herein.

          J.  Guarantor will obtain benefits as a result of the extensions of
credit to the Company under the Credit Agreement and desires to enter into this
Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding
paragraphs.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits
accruing to Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged, the Existing Guaranty is hereby amended and restated in its
entirety and Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and warranties
to the Guaranteed Parties and hereby covenants and agrees with the Guaranteed
Parties as follows:

          1.  Guaranteed Obligations.  (a) Bank Parties.  Guarantor irrevocably
              ----------------------                                           
and unconditionally guarantees as primary obligor and not merely as surety to
the Bank Parties the full and prompt payment when due (whether by acceleration
or otherwise) of the principal of and interest on all obligations (including
obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the
Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the Credit Agreement), would become due) to the
Bank Parties under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation all of the
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), together with all other
liabilities and obligations of the Company (including, without limitation,
indemnities, fees, costs, expenses and interest thereon) to the Bank Parties
incurred or to be incurred under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) (the "BANK GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS").
Subject to the preceding sentence, Guarantor understands, agrees and confirms
that the Bank Parties

                                    XII-A-2
<PAGE>
 
may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount of the Bank Guaranteed
Obligations against it without proceeding against the Company, against any
security for the Bank Guaranteed Obligations, against any other guarantor or any
other individual, partnership, corporation (including a business trust), joint
stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint venture or other entity,
or a government or any political subdivision or agency thereof (hereinafter
referred to as "PERSON") or under any other guaranty covering all or any portion
of the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or the Bank Guaranteed
Obligations.

          (b)  Noteholders. Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees
as primary obligor and not merely as surety to the Noteholders the full and
prompt payment when due (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal
of and interest on all obligations (including obligations which, but for the
automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the
Credit Agreement), would become due) to the Noteholders under the Senior Note
Agreement and the Senior Notes, together with all other liabilities and
obligations of the Company (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees,
costs, expenses and interest thereon) to the Noteholders incurred or to be
incurred under the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes or any other document
executed in connection with the Senior Note Agreement (the "NOTEHOLDER
GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" and, together with the Bank Guaranteed Obligations, the
"GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS"). Subject to the preceding sentence, Guarantor
understands, agrees and confirms that the Noteholders may enforce this Guaranty
up to the full amount of the Noteholder Guaranteed Obligations against it
without proceeding against the Company, against any security for the Noteholder
Guaranteed Obligations, against any other guarantor or any other Person under
any other guaranty covering all or any portion of the Noteholder Guaranteed
Obligations.

          2.   Waivers.  Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this
               -------                                                       
Guaranty and notice of any liability to which it may apply, and waives
presentment, demand of payment, protest, notice of dishonor or nonpayment of any
such liability, suit or taking of other action by any or all of the Guaranteed
Parties against, and any other notice to, any party liable thereon (including
the Company, such Guarantor or any other guarantor).

          3.   Modifications to Guaranteed Obligations.  Any or all of the
               ---------------------------------------                    
Guaranteed Parties may at any time and from time to time without the consent of
or Notice to Guarantor, without incurring responsibility to Guarantor, without
impairing or releasing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, upon or without
any terms or conditions and in whole or in part

               (a)  change the manner, place or terms of payment of, change or
     extend the time of payment of and/or, renew or alter, any of the Guaranteed
     Obligations, any security therefor, or any liability incurred directly or
     indirectly in respect thereof, and the guaranty herein made shall apply to
     the Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;

                                    XII-A-3
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or
     otherwise deal with in any manner and in any order any property by
     whomsoever at any time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever
     securing, the Guaranteed Obligations or any liabilities (including any of
     those hereunder) incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or
     hereof, and/or any offset thereagainst;

               (c)  exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the
     Company, any other guarantor or others or otherwise act or refrain from
     acting;

               (d)  settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any
     security therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder)
     incurred directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may
     subordinate the payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any
     liability (whether due or not) of the Company to creditors of the Company
     other than the Guaranteed Parties and such Guarantor;

               (e)  apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to
     any liability or liabilities of the Company to the Guaranteed Parties
     regardless of what liability or liabilities of the Company remain unpaid;

               (f)  consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or
     default under, any of the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes or any of
     the documents executed in connection with the Senior Note Agreement (the
     "SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS") or the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit
     Agreement), or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the Senior Note
     Documents or such Loan Documents or any of such other instruments or
     agreements; and/or

               (g)  act or fail to act is any manner referred to in the Guaranty
     which may deprive Guarantor or any other guarantor of any right to
     subrogation against or reimbursement from the Company or contribution or
     reimbursement against any other guarantor under any other guaranty to
     recover full or partial indemnity for any payments made pursuant to this
     Guaranty, including without limitation any right which is waived or limited
     by Section 5 hereof.

          4.   Obligations Unimpaired.  No invalidity, irregularity or
               ----------------------                                 
unenforceability of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations or of any security
therefor or any guaranty thereof shall affect, impair or be a defense to this
Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the existence of any other
circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety
or guarantor except payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations.

          5.   Waiver of Subrogation; Repayment of Intercompany Indebtedness;
               --------------------------------------------------------------
Limitation on Amount of Guaranty.
- -------------------------------- 
 
          (a)  Guarantor expressly waives any and all rights of subrogation
which Guarantor may now or hereafter have against the Company, arising from the
existence or

                                    XII-A-4
<PAGE>
 
performance of this Guaranty. In furtherance, and not in limitation, of the
preceding waiver, Guarantor agrees that any payment to Guaranteed Parties by
Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty shall be deemed (i) first, to the extent of
any intercompany indebtedness owed to the Company by Guarantor, whether or not
then due and payable, a payment on account of such intercompany indebtedness,
and (ii) thereafter, a contribution, dividend or other distribution of capital
of Guarantor to the Company or such other liable party, and any such payment
shall not constitute the Guarantor a creditor of the Company or such other
liable party. By its acknowledgment hereof, the Company consents to the
foregoing and agrees that any payment to the Guaranteed Parties by Guarantor
pursuant to this Guaranty shall be deemed a payment on account of intercompany
indebtedness owed to the Company by Guarantor to the extent of such intercompany
indebtedness, and that the amount of such intercompany indebtedness shall be
deemed paid and satisfied in the amount of any such payment.

          (b)  Anything contained in this Guaranty to the contrary
notwithstanding, if any Fraudulent Transfer Law (as hereinafter defined) is
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be applicable to the
obligations of Guarantor under this Guaranty, such obligations of Guarantor
hereunder shall be limited to a maximum aggregate amount equal to the largest
amount that would not render its obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a
fraudulent transfer or conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United
States Code or any applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively,
the "FRAUDULENT TRANSFER LAWS"), in each case after giving effect to all other
liabilities of Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the
Fraudulent Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of
Guarantor in respect of intercompany indebtedness to the Company or other
affiliates of the Company to the extent that such indebtedness would be
discharged in an amount equal to the amount paid by Guarantor hereunder) and
after giving effect as assets to the value (as determined under the applicable
provisions of the Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to reimbursement,
indemnification or contribution of Guarantor pursuant to applicable law or
pursuant to the terms of any agreement (including without limitation any such
right of contribution under a Related Guaranty (as hereinafter defined) as
contemplated by subsection 5(c)).

          (c)  Guarantor under this Guaranty, and each guarantor under other
guaranties relating to the Credit Agreement and the Senior Note Agreement (the
"RELATED GUARANTIES") which contain a contribution provision similar to that set
forth in this subsection 5(c), together desire to allocate among themselves
(collectively, the "CONTRIBUTING GUARANTORS"), in a fair and equitable manner,
their obligations arising under this Guaranty and the Related Guaranties.
Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by
Guarantor under this Guaranty or a guarantor under a Related Guaranty (a
"FUNDING GUARANTOR") that exceeds its Fair Share (as defined below) as of such
date, that Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of
the other Contributing Guarantors in the amount of such other Contributing
Guarantor's Fair Share Shortfall (as defined below) as of such date, with the
result that all such contributions will cause each Contributing Guarantor's
Aggregate Payments (as defined below) to equal its Fair Share as of such date.
"FAIR SHARE" means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of
determination, an amount equal to (i) the

                                    XII-A-5
<PAGE>
 
ratio of (x) the Adjusted Maximum Amount (as defined below) with respect to such
Contributing Guarantor to (y) the aggregate of the Adjusted Maximum Amounts with
respect to all Contributing Guarantors, multiplied by (ii) the aggregate amount
                                        ---------- --                          
paid or distributed on or before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this
Guaranty and the Related Guaranties in respect of the obligations guarantied.
"FAIR SHARE SHORTFALL" means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any
date of determination, the excess, if any, of the Fair Share of such
Contributing Guarantor over the Aggregate Payments of such Contributing
Guarantor.  "ADJUSTED MAXIMUM AMOUNT" means, with respect to a Contributing
Guarantor as of any date of determination, the maximum aggregate amount of the
obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this Guaranty and the Related
Guaranties, determined as of such date in accordance with subsection 5(b) or, if
applicable, a similar provision contained in a Related Guaranty; provided that,
                                                                 --------      
solely for purposes of calculating the Adjusted Maximum Amount with respect to
any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this subsection 5(c), any assets or
liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor arising by virtue of any rights to
subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification or any rights to or obligations of
contribution hereunder or under any similar provision contained in a Related
Guaranty shall not be considered as assets or liabilities of such Contributing
Guarantor.  "AGGREGATE PAYMENTS" means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor
as of any date of determination, an amount equal to (i) the aggregate amount of
all payments and distributions made on or before such date by such Contributing
Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty and the Related Guaranties (including,
without limitation, in respect of this subsection 5(c) or any similar provision
contained in a Related Guaranty) minus (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments
                                 -----                                          
received on or before such date by such Contributing Guarantor from the other
Contributing Guarantors as contributions under this subsection 5(c) or any
similar provision contained in a Related Guaranty.  The amounts payable as
contributions hereunder and under similar provisions in the Related Guaranties
shall be determined as of the date on which the related payment or distribution
is made by the applicable Funding Guarantor.  The allocation among Contributing
Guarantors of their obligations as set forth in this subsection 5(c) or any
similar provision contained in a Related Guaranty shall not be construed in any
way to limit the liability of any Contributing Guarantor hereunder or under a
Related Guaranty.  Each Contributing Guarantor under a Related Guaranty is a
third party beneficiary to the contribution agreement set forth in this
subsection 5(c).

          6.   Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.
               --------------------------------------

          (a)  Any and all payments made by Guarantor hereunder shall be made
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
levies, impacts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, excluding taxes imposed on net income and all income and
franchise taxes of the United States and any political subdivisions thereof (an
such non- excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and
liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "TAXES"). If the Guarantor shall be
required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Guaranteed Parties receive an
amount equal to the

                                    XII-A-6
<PAGE>
 
sum they would have received had no such deductions been made, (ii) the
Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) the Guarantor shall pay the full
amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other authority in
accordance with applicable law.

          (b)  In addition, the Guarantor agrees to pay any present or future
stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or
similar levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the
execution, delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Guaranty (hereinafter referred to as "OTHER TAXES").

          (c)  The Guarantor will indemnify each of the Guaranteed Parties for
the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any
Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section) paid by the Guaranteed Parties and any liability (including penalties,
interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not
such Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted. This
indemnification shall be made within 30 days from the date the Guaranteed
Parties make written demand therefor.

          (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the
Guarantor will furnish to each of the Guaranteed Parties, at its address
referred to in Section 17, the original or a certified copy of a receipt
evidencing payment thereof.

          (e)  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Guarantor hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Guarantor contained
in this Section 6 shall survive the payment in full of the principal of and
interest on the Notes (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the termination or
expiration of the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the
payment in full of the principal of and interest on the Senior Notes and the
termination or expiration of the Commitments (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and the termination of this Guaranty pursuant to Section 16 hereof or
otherwise.

          7.   Judgment.
               -------- 

          (a)  If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is
necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in U.S. Dollars (which, together with
the sign "$," means lawful money of the United States) into another currency,
the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so,
that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal
banking procedures the Guaranteed Parties could purchase U.S. Dollars with such
other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is
given. "BUSINESS DAY" means a day of the year on which banks are not required or
authorized to close in New York City.

          (b)  The obligation of the Guarantor in respect of any sum due from it
to the Guaranteed Parties hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a
currency other than U.S. Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that on the
Business Day following receipt by the Guaranteed Parties of any sum adjudged to
be so due in such other currency the Guaranteed Parties may in accordance with
normal banking procedures

                                    XII-A-7
<PAGE>
 
purchase U.S. Dollars with such other currency; if the U.S. Dollars so purchased
are less than the sum originally due to the Guaranteed Parties in U.S. Dollars,
the Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and notwithstanding any such
judgment, to indemnify the Guaranteed Parties against such loss, and if the U.S.
Dollars so purchased exceed the sum originally due to the Guaranteed Parties in
U.S. Dollars, the Guaranteed Parties agree to remit to the Guarantor such
excess.

          8.   Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce the Bank
               ------------------------------                              
Parties to make available the credit facilities pursuant to the Credit Agreement
and in order to induce the Noteholders to sign the Waiver, Guarantor makes the
following representations, warranties and agreements:

               (a)  Corporate Status.  Guarantor is a corporation duly 
                    ----------------           
     organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
     jurisdiction of its organization, is duly qualified to do business as a
     foreign corporation and in good standing as such in each jurisdiction in
     which the conduct of its business or the ownership or leasing of its
     properties makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to
     be so duly qualified or in good standing would not have and could not
     reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. "MATERIAL ADVERSE
     EFFECT" means a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate,
     upon (a) the business, operations, properties, prospects, assets or
     condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries,
     taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company or any Subsidiary (if a
     party thereto) to perform or of the Lender or the Issuing Lender to enforce
     the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Loan
     Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or (c) the ability of the
     Company or any Subsidiary (if a party thereto) to perform or of the
     Noteholders to enforce the obligation under the Senior Note Documents.
     Guarantor has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and
     operate its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as
     proposed to be conducted and to enter into and to perform the Loan
     Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and Senior Note Documents to
     which it is a party.

               (b)  Corporate Power and Authority Enforceability.  The 
                    --------------------------------------------     
     execution, delivery and performance of this Guaranty and the other Loan
     Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Senior Note
     Documents to which Guarantor is a party are within the Guarantor's
     corporate powers and have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate
     action. Each such Loan Document and Senior Note Document to which Guarantor
     is a party has been duly executed and delivered by Guarantor and each such
     Loan Document and Senior Note Document constitutes the legal, valid and
     binding obligation of the Guarantor, enforceable against the Guarantor in
     accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by
     applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar
     laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of the
     rights of creditors or by equitable principles, regardless of whether such
     enforcement is sought in equity or at law.

                                    XII-A-8
<PAGE>
 
               (c)  No Violation.  Neither the execution delivery or performance
                    ------------                                                
     by Guarantor of any Loan Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or
     Senior Note Document to which Guarantor is a party, nor compliance by it
     with the terms and provisions thereof, nor the consummation of the
     transactions contemplated therein, (i) will contravene any applicable
     provision of any law, statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ,
     injunction or decree of any court or governmental instrumentality, (ii)
     will conflict or be inconsistent with or result in any breach of any of the
     terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of, or constitute a default
     under, or result in the creation or imposition of (or the obligation to
     create or impose) any Lien upon any of the property or assets of Guarantor
     or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture,
     mortgage, deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which Guarantor
     or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property
     or assets is bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) will violate any
     provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Guarantor or
     any of its Subsidiaries.

               (d)  Governmental Approvals.  No order, consent, approval, 
                    ----------------------             
     license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or
     registration with (except as have been obtained or made), or exemption by,
     any foreign or domestic governmental or public body or authority, or any
     subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection
     with (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document (as
     defined in the Credit Agreement) or Senior Note Document to which Guarantor
     is a party or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
     of any such Loan Document or Senior Note Document.

          9.   Representations and Warranties.  Guarantor confirms that Schedule
               ------------------------------                                   
5.1 of the Credit Agreement correctly sets forth its form of organization, its
jurisdiction of organization and the location of its chief executive office.
Guarantor confirms that each other representation and warranty contained in the
Credit Agreement or in the Senior Note Agreement, as any such representation and
warranty relates to Guarantor, is true and correct in all material respects.

          10.  Covenants.  (a) Credit Agreement.  Guarantor covenants and agrees
               ---------                                                        
that so long as any Loans, amount drawn under any Letter of Credit (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) or other amount owed to the Lender or the Issuing
Lender shall remain unpaid or the Lender or the Issuing Lender shall have any
Commitment (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under and until the expiration,
cancellation or cash collateralization of all such Letters of Credit pursuant to
Section 8 of the Credit Agreement, unless the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties
(as hereinafter defined) shall otherwise consent in writing, it will comply with
each and every covenant and agreement of the Company contained in the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) which indicates that the Company
will cause Guarantor to take or refrain from talking any action, and it will
not, to the extent that any action of the Company and its Subsidiaries is
subject to cumulative dollar limitations applicable to the Company and its
Subsidiaries under any restrictive covenant or other provision of any such Loan
Document, take any such action if in so doing such dollar limitations would be
exceeded

                                    XII-A-9
<PAGE>
 
          (b)  Senior Note Agreement. Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that
so long as any Senior Note shall remain unpaid, unless the Majority Noteholders
(as hereinafter defined) shall otherwise consent in writing, it will comply with
each and every covenant and agreement of the Company contained in the Senior
Note Documents which indicates that the Company will cause such Guarantor to
take or refrain from taking any action, and it will not, to the extent that any
action of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to cumulative dollar
limitations applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries under any restrictive
covenant or other provision of any Senior Note Document, take any such action if
in so doing such dollar limitations would be exceeded.

          11.  Continuing Guaranty; No Waiver.  This Guaranty is a continuing 
               ------------------------------       
one and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof
shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon. No
failure or delay on the part of the Guaranteed Parties in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or privilege. The rights and remedies herein expressly specified are cumulative
and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Guaranteed Parties would
otherwise have. No notice to or demand on Guarantor in any case shall entitle
Guarantor or any other guarantor to any other further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the
Guaranteed Parties to any other or further action in any circumstances without
notice or demand.

          12.  Successors and Assigns.  This Guaranty shall be binding upon
               ----------------------                                      
Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the
Guaranteed Parties and their successors and assigns.

          13.  Costs and Expenses.  Guarantor hereby agrees to pay all 
               ------------------                                      
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Guaranteed Parties in
connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty (including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel employed by the Guaranteed
Parties).

          14.  Amendments.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this
               ----------                                                  
Guaranty, and no consent to any departure by the Guarantor herefrom, shall in
any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by:  (i)
the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties (as hereinafter defined), in the case of
amendments or waivers which affect only the Bank Parties and the Guarantor);
(ii) the Majority Noteholders (as hereinafter defined), in the case of
amendments or waivers which affect only the Noteholders and the Guarantor, or
(iii) the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties and the Majority Noteholders, in all
other cases, and then in each case such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

          15.  Acknowledgement of Credit Agreement and Senior Note Agreement.
              -------------------------------------------------------------  
Guarantor acknowledges that executed (or conformed) copies of the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and
of the Senior Note Agreement and the other Senior Note Documents, have been made
available to its principal executive officers and such officers are familiar
with the contents thereof.

                                   XII-A-10
<PAGE>
 
          16.  Termination.  This Guaranty shall terminate and be of no further
               -----------                                                     
force and effect when all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full,
the Lender and the Issuing Lender shall not have any remaining Commitments (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement and all of the
Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall have expired or
been cancelled.  This Guaranty shall be reinstated and revived, and the
enforceability hereof shall continue, with respect to any amount at any time
paid to any Guaranteed Party on account of the Guaranteed Obligations which
thereafter shall be required to be restored or returned by such Guaranteed Party
upon any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Company, Guarantor or any
other Person or otherwise, as if such amount had not been paid or permitted to
be paid.

          17.  Addresses for Notices.  All notices and other communications
               ---------------------                                       
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic,
telex or cable communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed,
cabled or delivered to it, if to the Guarantor, at its address set forth
opposite its signature below, with a copy to Company at its address specified in
the Credit Agreement, and if to any Bank Party, at its address specified in the
Credit Agreement, and if to any Noteholder, at its address specified in the
Senior Note Agreement or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties.  All such
notices and other communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed,
telexed or cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied,
delivered to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answerback or delivered
to the cable company, respectively.

          18.  Reinstatement.  If any claim is ever made upon the Guaranteed
               -------------                                                
Parties for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment
or on account of any Guaranteed Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees
repays all or part of said amount by reason of (a) any judgment, decree or order
of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any
of its property or (b) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected
by such payee with any such claimant (including the Company), then and in such
event Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or
compromise shall be binding upon it, notwithstanding any termination or
revocation hereof or the cancellation of any instrument evidencing any liability
of the Company or the Guarantor, and Guarantor shall be and remain liable to the
aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same
extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

          19.  Pro Rata Payments.  All payments made by Guarantor hereunder 
               -----------------                                     
shall be applied by the Guarantor to the ratable payment of the Guaranteed
Obligations due and owing to the Guaranteed Parties. Such ratable application
shall be required and effective whether or not all or any portion of the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be rendered invalid or
unenforceable under any fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance or other
similar law, it being the intent of the Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties
that any payments made by the Guarantor hereunder shall be applied ratably to
the holders of the Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing without regard to
the invalidity or unenforceability of any portion of this Guaranty.

                                   XII-A-11
<PAGE>
 
          20.  Multiple Demands; Joint Action by Guaranteed Parties.  Guarantor
               ----------------------------------------------------            
acknowledges that Guaranteed Parties may make one or more demands for payment
hereunder, and that the existence of any such demand shall in no way limit the
rights of the Guaranteed Parties to make additional, further or other subsequent
demands. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), no demand may be made hereunder
by the Bank Parties unless such demand is made on behalf of all of the Bank
Parties with the consent of the Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) ("MAJORITY BANK GUARANTEED PARTIES"). Furthermore, notwithstanding
the foregoing or any other provision in this Guaranty or the Senior Note
Documents, no demand may be made hereunder by the Noteholders unless such demand
is made on behalf of all of the Noteholders with the consent of holders of not
less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes
("MAJORITY NOTEHOLDERS").

          21.  Release Provisions.  If all of the stock of Guarantor shall be
               ------------------                                            
sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction not prohibited by the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or the Senior Note Documents (in
each case after giving effect to any required application of the proceeds
thereof), the obligations of Guarantor hereunder shall automatically be
discharged and released without any further action by any Guaranteed Party,
effective as of the time of such sale or other disposition.

          22.  Statue of Limitations.  Any acknowledgement or new promise,
               ---------------------                                      
whether by payment of principal or interest or otherwise and whether by the
Company or others (including Guarantor), with respect to any of the Guaranteed
Obligations shall, if the statute of limitations in favor of Guarantor against
the Guaranteed Parties shall have commenced to run, toll the running of such
statute of limitations, and if the period of such statute of limitations shall
have expired, prevent the operation of such statute of limitations.

          23.  CHOICE OF LAW.  THIS GUARANTY AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
               -------------                                                  
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          24.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  GUARANTOR HEREBY
               ----------------------------------------------                   
CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN EITHER
OR THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, STATE OF NEW YORK, OR THE CITY OF CHICAGO, STATE OF
ILLINOIS, OR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO THE GUARANTEED PARTIES' ELECTION, ALL ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS.
GUARANTOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND
BY

                                   XII-A-12
<PAGE>
 
ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT) OR SUCH OBLIGATION.
GUARANTOR DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 1633 BROADWAY, NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 10019, CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 208 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET, CHICAGO,
ILLINOIS, 60604, AND SUCH OTHER PERSONS AS MAY HEREAFTER BE SELECTED BY
GUARANTOR WHICH IRREVOCABLY AGREE IN WRITING TO SO SERVE AS ITS AGENT TO RECEIVE
ON ITS BEHALF SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS IN ANY SUCH COURT
IN NEW YORK, ILLINOIS OR CALIFORNIA, RESPECTIVELY, SUCH SERVICE BEING HEREBY
ACKNOWLEDGED BY GUARANTOR TO BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.
A COPY OF ANY SUCH PROCESS SO SERVED SHALL BE MAILED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO
GUARANTOR AT ITS ADDRESS PROVIDED NEXT TO ITS SIGNATURE HERETO EXCEPT THAT
UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY FAILURE TO MAIL SUCH COPY SHALL
NOT AFFECT THE VALIDITY OF SERVICE OF PROCESS. IF ANY AGENT APPOINTED BY
GUARANTOR REFUSES TO ACCEPT SERVICE, GUARANTOR HEREBY AGREES THAT SERVICE UPON
IT BY MAIL SHALL CONSTITUTE SUFFICIENT NOTICE. NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE
RIGHT TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE
RIGHT OF THE GUARANTEED PARTIES TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GUARANTOR IN THE
COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

          25.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE GUARANTEED PARTIES
               --------------------                                           
EACH HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE
OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY, ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), ANY OF THE OTHER SENIOR NOTE
DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER
OF THIS GUARANTY AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED.  THE GUARANTOR
AND THE GUARANTEED PARTIES ALSO EACH WAIVE ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY UPON
SUCH BOND WHICH MIGHT, BUT FOR THIS WAIVER, BE REQUIRED OF EITHER GUARANTEED
PARTY.  The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and
all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject
matter of this transaction, including without limitation, contract claims, tort
claims, breach of duty claim and all other common law and statutory claims.  The
Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each has already
relied on the waiver in entering into this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the other Senior Note Documents and
that each will continue to rely on the waiver in their related future dealings.
The Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties further warrant and represent that each
has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and
voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal
counsel.  THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN

                                   XII-A-13
<PAGE>
 
WRITING, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS, RENEWALS,
SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS GUARANTY, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS (AS
DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), THE OTHER SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS OR TO ANY
OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY.  IN THE EVENT OF
LITIGATION, THIS GUARANTY MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE
COURT.

          26.  Counterparts.  This Guaranty may be executed in any number of
               ------------                                                 
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  A set of counterparts
executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with the Company and the
Guaranteed Parties.

                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                   XII-A-14
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed
and delivered as of the date first above written.

Address
- -------
                                   [Subsidiary]


                                   By_____________________________________
                                     Name:
                                     Title:


Acknowledged

Varco International, Inc.

By_____________________________
  Name: Richard Kertson
  Title: Chief Financial Officer

                                   XII-A-15
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT XII-B

                         [FORM OF SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY]

                                   GUARANTY


      GUARANTY (this "GUARANTY"), dated as of _______, ____, made by
________________, a ________________ corporation ("GUARANTOR").


                                   RECITALS
                                   --------
                                        
      A.   Certain financial institutions ("LENDERS"), as listed on the
signature pages of the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), UNION BANK OF
CALIFORNIA, N.A., as agent ("AGENT") for and representative of the Lenders and
as issuing lender ("ISSUING LENDER" and together with Lenders, Agent and their
respective successors and assigns, the "BANK PARTIES") and Company have entered
into that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (as it may be
amended, modified, supplemented or restated from time to time, the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT").

      B.   The persons identified on Schedule 1 hereto (the "NOTEHOLDERS," and
together with the Bank Parties, the "GUARANTEED PARTIES") are the holders of the
Company's 8.95% SENIOR NOTES due June 30, 1999 (the "SENIOR NOTES") issued by
the Company pursuant to that certain Note Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992 (as
heretofore or hereafter amended, supplemented or restated from time to time, the
"SENIOR NOTE AGREEMENT").

      C.   Guarantor is a direct or indirect Subsidiary of the Company.  For
purposes of this Guaranty, the term "SUBSIDIARY" or "SUBSIDIARIES" means any
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or estate of which (or in which)
more than 50% of (1) the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power
to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective
of whether or not at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of
such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any
contingency), (2) the interest in the capital or profits of such partnership or
joint venture, or (3) the beneficial interest of such trust or estate, is at the
time directly or indirectly owned by the Company, by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries of the Company, or by one or more other Subsidiaries of the
Company.

      D.   Guarantor may have received or may receive from the Company, directly
or indirectly, the proceeds of the issuance and sale of the Senior Notes and
Guarantor has or may otherwise directly or indirectly benefit from the issuance
and sale of the Senior Notes.

      E.   It is anticipated that Guarantor may receive from the Company,
directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the Loans (as defined in the Credit
Agreement), that Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) may be
issued for the account

                                    XII-B-1
<PAGE>
 
of the Guarantor or that the Guarantor may otherwise directly or indirectly
benefit from the issuances of such Letters of Credit and other credit extensions
made under the Credit Agreement after the date hereof.

      F.   It is a condition precedent to the making of the initial credit
advances by the Lenders under the Credit Agreement and the issuance of Letters
of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) by the Issuing Lender under the
Credit Agreement that the Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this
Guaranty.

      G.   The Credit Agreement contains certain provisions which, absent a
waiver and consent from the Noteholders (the "WAIVER"), would or might violate
certain provisions of the Senior Note Agreement, and it is a condition precedent
to the execution and delivery by the Noteholders of the waiver that the
Guarantor shall have executed and delivered this Guaranty.

      H.   Guarantor will obtain benefits as a result of the extensions of
credit to the Company under the Credit Agreement and desires to enter into this
Guaranty in order to satisfy the conditions described in the preceding
paragraphs.

                                   AGREEMENT
                                   ---------

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other benefits
accruing to Guarantor, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby
acknowledged,  Guarantor hereby makes the following representations and
warranties to the Guaranteed Parties and hereby covenants and agrees with the
Guaranteed Parties as follows:

      1.   Guaranteed Obligations.  (a) Bank Parties.  Guarantor irrevocably and
           ----------------------                                               
unconditionally guarantees as primary obligor and not merely as surety to the
Bank Parties the full and prompt payment when due (whether by acceleration or
otherwise) of the principal of and interest on all obligations (including
obligations which, but for the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the
Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the Credit Agreement), would become due) to the
Bank Parties under the Credit Agreement, including without limitation all of the
Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement), together with all other
liabilities and obligations of the Company (including, without limitation,
indemnities, fees, costs, expenses and interest thereon) to the Bank Parties
incurred or to be incurred under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) (the "BANK GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS").
Subject to the preceding sentence, Guarantor understands, agrees and confirms
that the Bank Parties may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount of the
Bank Guaranteed Obligations against it without proceeding against the Company,
against any security for the Bank Guaranteed Obligations, against any other
guarantor or any other individual, partnership, corporation (including a
business trust), joint stock company, trust, unincorporated association, joint
venture or other entity, or a government or any political subdivision or agency
thereof (hereinafter referred to as "PERSON") or under any other guaranty
covering all or any portion of the Obligations (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) or the Bank Guaranteed Obligations.

                                    XII-B-2
<PAGE>
 
      (b)  Noteholders.  Guarantor irrevocably and unconditionally guarantees as
primary obligor and not merely as surety to the Noteholders the full and prompt
payment when due (whether by acceleration or otherwise) of the principal of and
interest on all obligations (including obligations which, but for the automatic
stay under Section 362(a) of the Bankruptcy Code (as defined in the Credit
Agreement), would become due) to the Noteholders under the Senior Note Agreement
and the Senior Notes, together with all other liabilities and obligations of the
Company (including, without limitation, indemnities, fees, costs, expenses and
interest thereon) to the Noteholders incurred or to be incurred under the Senior
Note Agreement, the Senior Notes or any other document executed in connection
with the Senior Note Agreement (the "NOTEHOLDER GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS" and,
together with the Bank Guaranteed Obligations, the "GUARANTEED OBLIGATIONS").
Subject to the preceding sentence, Guarantor understands, agrees and confirms
that the Noteholders may enforce this Guaranty up to the full amount of the
Noteholder Guaranteed Obligations against it without proceeding against the
Company, against any security for the Noteholder Guaranteed Obligations, against
any other guarantor or any other Person under any other guaranty covering all or
any portion of the Noteholder Guaranteed Obligations.

      2.   Waivers.  Guarantor hereby waives notice of acceptance of this
           -------                                                       
Guaranty and notice of any liability to which it may apply, and waives
presentment, demand of payment, protest, notice of dishonor or nonpayment of any
such liability, suit or taking of other action by any or all of the Guaranteed
Parties against, and any other notice to, any party liable thereon (including
the Company, such Guarantor or any other guarantor).

      3.   Modifications to Guaranteed Obligations.  Any or all of the
           ---------------------------------------                    
Guaranteed Parties may at any time and from time to time without the consent of
or Notice to Guarantor, without incurring responsibility to Guarantor, without
impairing or releasing the obligations of Guarantor hereunder, upon or without
any terms or conditions and in whole or in part

           (a) change the manner, place or terms of payment of, change or extend
  the time of payment of and/or, renew or alter, any of the Guaranteed
  Obligations, any security therefor, or any liability incurred directly or
  indirectly in respect thereof, and the guaranty herein made shall apply to the
  Guaranteed Obligations as so changed, extended, renewed or altered;

           (b) sell, exchange, release, surrender, realize upon or otherwise
  deal with in any manner and in any order any property by whomsoever at any
  time pledged or mortgaged to secure, or howsoever securing, the Guaranteed
  Obligations or any liabilities (including any of those hereunder) incurred
  directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and/or any offset
  thereagainst;

           (c) exercise or refrain from exercising any rights against the
  Company, any other guarantor or others or otherwise act or refrain from
  acting;

                                    XII-B-3
<PAGE>
 
           (d) settle or compromise any of the Guaranteed Obligations, any
  security therefor or any liability (including any of those hereunder) incurred
  directly or indirectly in respect thereof or hereof, and may subordinate the
  payment of all or any part thereof to the payment of any liability (whether
  due or not) of the Company to creditors of the Company other than the
  Guaranteed Parties and such Guarantor;

           (e) apply any sums by whomsoever paid or howsoever realized to any
  liability or liabilities of the Company to the Guaranteed Parties regardless
  of what liability or liabilities of the Company remain unpaid;

           (f) consent to or waive any breach of, or any act, omission or
  default under, any of the Senior Note Agreement, the Senior Notes or any of
  the documents executed in connection with the Senior Note Agreement (the
  "SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS") or the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit
  Agreement), or otherwise amend, modify or supplement any of the Senior Note
  Documents or such Loan Documents or any of such other instruments or
  agreements; and/or

           (g) act or fail to act is any manner referred to in the Guaranty
  which may deprive Guarantor or any other guarantor of any right to subrogation
  against or reimbursement from the Company or contribution or reimbursement
  against any other guarantor under any other guaranty to recover full or
  partial indemnity for any payments made pursuant to this Guaranty, including
  without limitation any right which is waived or limited by Section 5 hereof.

      4.   Obligations Unimpaired.  No invalidity, irregularity or
           ----------------------                                 
unenforceability of all or part of the Guaranteed Obligations or of any security
therefor or any guaranty thereof shall affect, impair or be a defense to this
Guaranty, and this Guaranty shall be primary, absolute and unconditional
notwithstanding the occurrence of any event or the existence of any other
circumstances which might constitute a legal or equitable discharge of a surety
or guarantor except payment in full in cash of the Guaranteed Obligations.

      5.   Waiver of Subrogation; Repayment of Intercompany Indebtedness;
           --------------------------------------------------------------
Limitation on Amount of Guaranty.
- -------------------------------- 
 
      (a)  Guarantor expressly waives any and all rights of subrogation which
Guarantor may now or hereafter have against the Company, arising from the
existence or performance of this Guaranty.  In furtherance, and not in
limitation, of the preceding waiver, Guarantor agrees that any payment to
Guaranteed Parties by Guarantor pursuant to this Guaranty shall be deemed (i)
first, to the extent of any intercompany indebtedness owed to the Company by
Guarantor, whether or not then due and payable, a payment on account of such
intercompany indebtedness, and (ii) thereafter, a contribution, dividend or
other distribution of capital of Guarantor to the Company or such other liable
party, and any such payment shall not constitute the Guarantor a creditor of the
Company or such other liable party.  By its acknowledgment hereof, the Company
consents to the foregoing and agrees that any payment to the Guaranteed Parties
by Guarantor pursuant

                                    XII-B-4
<PAGE>
 
to this Guaranty shall be deemed a payment on account of intercompany
indebtedness owed to the Company by Guarantor to the extent of such intercompany
indebtedness, and that the amount of such intercompany indebtedness shall be
deemed paid and satisfied in the amount of any such payment.

      (b)  Anything contained in this Guaranty to the contrary notwithstanding,
if any Fraudulent Transfer Law (as hereinafter defined) is determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction to be applicable to the obligations of Guarantor under
this Guaranty, such obligations of Guarantor hereunder shall be limited to a
maximum aggregate amount equal to the largest amount that would not render its
obligations hereunder subject to avoidance as a fraudulent transfer or
conveyance under Section 548 of Title 11 of the United States Code or any
applicable provisions of comparable state law (collectively, the "FRAUDULENT
TRANSFER LAWS"), in each case after giving effect to all other liabilities of
Guarantor, contingent or otherwise, that are relevant under the Fraudulent
Transfer Laws (specifically excluding, however, any liabilities of Guarantor in
respect of intercompany indebtedness to the Company or other affiliates of the
Company to the extent that such indebtedness would be discharged in an amount
equal to the amount paid by Guarantor hereunder) and after giving effect as
assets to the value (as determined under the applicable provisions of the
Fraudulent Transfer Laws) of any rights to reimbursement, indemnification or
contribution of Guarantor pursuant to applicable law or pursuant to the terms of
any agreement (including without limitation any such right of contribution under
a Related Guaranty (as hereinafter defined) as contemplated by subsection 5(c)).

      (c)  Guarantor under this Guaranty, and each guarantor under other
guaranties relating to the Credit Agreement and the Senior Note Agreement (the
"RELATED GUARANTIES") which contain a contribution provision similar to that set
forth in this subsection 5(c), together desire to allocate among themselves
(collectively, the "CONTRIBUTING GUARANTORS"), in a fair and equitable manner,
their obligations arising under this Guaranty and the Related Guaranties.
Accordingly, in the event any payment or distribution is made on any date by
Guarantor under this Guaranty or a guarantor under a Related Guaranty (a
"FUNDING GUARANTOR") that exceeds its Fair Share (as defined below) as of such
date, that Funding Guarantor shall be entitled to a contribution from each of
the other Contributing Guarantors in the amount of such other Contributing
Guarantor's Fair Share Shortfall (as defined below) as of such date, with the
result that all such contributions will cause each Contributing Guarantor's
Aggregate Payments (as defined below) to equal its Fair Share as of such date.
"FAIR SHARE" means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of
determination, an amount equal to (i) the ratio of (x) the Adjusted Maximum
Amount (as defined below) with respect to such Contributing Guarantor to (y) the
aggregate of the Adjusted Maximum Amounts with respect to all Contributing
Guarantors, multiplied by (ii) the aggregate amount paid or distributed on or
            ---------- --                                                    
before such date by all Funding Guarantors under this Guaranty and the Related
Guaranties in respect of the obligations guarantied.  "FAIR SHARE SHORTFALL"
means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination,
the excess, if any, of the Fair Share of such Contributing Guarantor over the
Aggregate Payments of such Contributing Guarantor.  "ADJUSTED MAXIMUM AMOUNT"
means, with respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination,
the maximum

                                    XII-B-5
<PAGE>
 
aggregate amount of the obligations of such Contributing Guarantor under this
Guaranty and the Related Guaranties, determined as of such date in accordance
with subsection 5(b) or, if applicable, a similar provision contained in a
Related Guaranty; provided that, solely for purposes of calculating the Adjusted
                  --------                                                      
Maximum Amount with respect to any Contributing Guarantor for purposes of this
subsection 5(c), any assets or liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor
arising by virtue of any rights to subrogation, reimbursement or indemnification
or any rights to or obligations of contribution hereunder or under any similar
provision contained in a Related Guaranty shall not be considered as assets or
liabilities of such Contributing Guarantor.  "AGGREGATE PAYMENTS" means, with
respect to a Contributing Guarantor as of any date of determination, an amount
equal to (i) the aggregate amount of all payments and distributions made on or
before such date by such Contributing Guarantor in respect of this Guaranty and
the Related Guaranties (including, without limitation, in respect of this
subsection 5(c) or any similar provision contained in a Related Guaranty) minus
                                                                          -----
(ii) the aggregate amount of all payments received on or before such date by
such Contributing Guarantor from the other Contributing Guarantors as
contributions under this subsection 5(c) or any similar provision contained in a
Related Guaranty.  The amounts payable as contributions hereunder and under
similar provisions in the Related Guaranties shall be determined as of the date
on which the related payment or distribution is made by the applicable Funding
Guarantor.  The allocation among Contributing Guarantors of their obligations as
set forth in this subsection 5(c) or any similar provision contained in a
Related Guaranty shall not be construed in any way to limit the liability of any
Contributing Guarantor hereunder or under a Related Guaranty.  Each Contributing
Guarantor under a Related Guaranty is a third party beneficiary to the
contribution agreement set forth in this subsection 5(c).

      6.   Payments Free and Clear of Taxes, Etc.
           --------------------------------------

      (a)  Any and all payments made by Guarantor hereunder shall be made free
and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
levies, impacts, deductions, charges or withholdings, and all liabilities with
respect thereto, excluding taxes imposed on net income and all income and
franchise taxes of the United States and any political subdivisions thereof (an
such non- excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges, withholdings and
liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "TAXES").  If the Guarantor shall
be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum payable
hereunder, (i) the sum payable shall be increased as may be necessary so that
after making all required deductions (including deductions applicable to
additional sums payable under this Section) the Guaranteed Parties receive an
amount equal to the sum they would have received had no such deductions been
made, (ii) the Guarantor shall make such deductions and (iii) the Guarantor
shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxation authority or other
authority in accordance with applicable law.

      (b)  In addition, the Guarantor agrees to pay any present or future stamp
or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar
levies which arise from any payment made hereunder or from the execution,
delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Guaranty
(hereinafter referred to as "OTHER TAXES").

                                    XII-B-6
<PAGE>
 
      (c)  The Guarantor will indemnify each of the Guaranteed Parties for the
full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes (including, without limitation, any Taxes or
Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this Section)
paid by the Guaranteed Parties and any liability (including penalties, interest
and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such
Taxes or Other Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.  This indemnification
shall be made within 30 days from the date the Guaranteed Parties make written
demand therefor.

      (d)  Within 30 days after the date of any payment of Taxes, the Guarantor
will furnish to each of the Guaranteed Parties, at its address referred to in
Section 17, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof.

      (e)  Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the
Guarantor hereunder, the agreements and obligations of the Guarantor contained
in this Section 6 shall survive the payment in full of the principal of and
interest on the Notes (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the termination or
expiration of the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the
payment in full of the principal of and interest on the Senior Notes and the
termination or expiration of the Commitments (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) and the termination of this Guaranty pursuant to Section 16 hereof or
otherwise.

      7.   Judgment.
           -------- 

      (a)  If for the purposes of obtaining judgment in any court it is
necessary to convert a sum due hereunder in U.S. Dollars (which, together with
the sign "$," means lawful money of the United States) into another currency,
the parties hereto agree, to the fullest extent that they may effectively do so,
that the rate of exchange used shall be that at which in accordance with normal
banking procedures the Guaranteed Parties could purchase U.S. Dollars with such
other currency on the Business Day preceding that on which final judgment is
given. "BUSINESS DAY" means a day of the year on which banks are not required or
authorized to close in New York City.

      (b)  The obligation of the Guarantor in respect of any sum due from it to
the Guaranteed Parties hereunder shall, notwithstanding any judgment in a
currency other than U.S. Dollars, be discharged only to the extent that on the
Business Day following receipt by the Guaranteed Parties of any sum adjudged to
be so due in such other currency the Guaranteed Parties may in accordance with
normal banking procedures purchase U.S. Dollars with such other currency; if the
U.S. Dollars so purchased are less than the sum originally due to the Guaranteed
Parties in U.S. Dollars, the Guarantor agrees, as a separate obligation and
notwithstanding any such judgment, to indemnify the Guaranteed Parties against
such loss, and if the U.S. Dollars so purchased exceed the sum originally due to
the Guaranteed Parties in U.S. Dollars, the Guaranteed Parties agree to remit to
the Guarantor such excess.

      8.   Representations and Warranties.  In order to induce the Bank Parties
           ------------------------------                                      
to make available the credit facilities pursuant to the Credit Agreement and in
order to

                                    XII-B-7
<PAGE>
 
induce the Noteholders to sign the Waiver, Guarantor makes the following
representations, warranties and agreements:

           (a) Corporate Status.  Guarantor is a corporation duly organized,
               ----------------                                             
  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of
  its organization, is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation
  and in good standing as such in each jurisdiction in which the conduct of its
  business or the ownership or leasing of its properties makes such
  qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so duly qualified or
  in good standing would not have and could not reasonably be expected to have a
  Material Adverse Effect.  "MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT" means a material adverse
  effect, individually or in the aggregate, upon (a) the business, operations,
  properties, prospects, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the
  Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (b) the ability of the Company
  or any Subsidiary (if a party thereto) to perform or of the Lender or the
  Issuing Lender to enforce the Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement)
  under the Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), or (c) the
  ability of the Company or any Subsidiary (if a party thereto) to perform or of
  the Noteholders to enforce the obligation under the Senior Note Documents.
  Guarantor has all requisite corporate power and authority to own and operate
  its properties, to carry on its business as now conducted and as proposed to
  be conducted and to enter into and to perform the Loan Documents (as defined
  in the Credit Agreement) and Senior Note Documents to which it is a party.

           (b) Corporate Power and Authority Enforceability.  The execution,
               --------------------------------------------                 
  delivery and performance of this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents (as
  defined in the Credit Agreement) and the Senior Note Documents to which
  Guarantor is a party are within the Guarantor's corporate powers and have been
  duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.  Each such Loan Document
  and Senior Note Document to which Guarantor is a party has been duly executed
  and delivered by Guarantor and each such Loan Document and Senior Note
  Document constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Guarantor,
  enforceable against the Guarantor in accordance with its terms, except as such
  enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
  reorganization, moratorium or similar laws of general application relating to
  or affecting the enforcement of the rights of creditors or by equitable
  principles, regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in equity or at
  law.

           (c) No Violation.  Neither the execution delivery or performance by
               ------------                                                   
  Guarantor of any Loan Document (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or Senior
  Note Document to which Guarantor is a party, nor compliance by it with the
  terms and provisions thereof, nor the consummation of the transactions
  contemplated therein, (i) will contravene any applicable provision of any law,
  statute, rule or regulation or any order, writ, injunction or decree of any
  court or governmental instrumentality, (ii) will conflict or be inconsistent
  with or result in any breach of any of the terms, covenants, conditions or
  provisions of, or constitute a default under, or result in the creation or
  imposition of (or the obligation to create or impose) any Lien upon any of the
  property or assets of Guarantor or any

                                    XII-B-8
<PAGE>
 
     of its Subsidiaries pursuant to the terms of any indenture, mortgage, deed
     of trust, agreement or other instrument to which Guarantor or any of its
     Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or any of its property or assets is
     bound or to which it may be subject or (iii) will violate any provision of
     the Certificate of Incorporation or By-Laws of Guarantor or any of its
     Subsidiaries.

               (d) Governmental Approvals.  No order, consent, approval, 
                   ----------------------              
     license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording or
     registration with (except as have been obtained or made), or exemption by,
     any foreign or domestic governmental or public body or authority, or any
     subdivision thereof, is required to authorize, or is required in connection
     with (i) the execution, delivery and performance of any Loan Document (as
     defined in the Credit Agreement) or Senior Note Document to which Guarantor
     is a party or (ii) the legality, validity, binding effect or enforceability
     of any such Loan Document or Senior Note Document.

          9.   Representations and Warranties.  Guarantor confirms that 
               ------------------------------         
Schedule 5.1 of the Credit Agreement correctly sets forth its form of
organization, its jurisdiction of organization and the location of its chief
executive office. Guarantor confirms that each other representation and warranty
contained in the Credit Agreement or in the Senior Note Agreement, as any such
representation and warranty relates to Guarantor, is true and correct in all
material respects.

          10.  Covenants.  (a) Credit Agreement.  Guarantor covenants and agrees
               ---------                                                        
that so long as any Loans, amount drawn under any Letter of Credit (as defined
in the Credit Agreement) or other amount owed to the Lender or the Issuing
Lender shall remain unpaid or the Lender or the Issuing Lender shall have any
Commitment (as defined in the Credit Agreement) under and until the expiration,
cancellation or cash collateralization of all such Letters of Credit pursuant to
Section 8 of the Credit Agreement, unless the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties
(as hereinafter defined) shall otherwise consent in writing, it will comply with
each and every covenant and agreement of the Company contained in the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) which indicates that the Company
will cause Guarantor to take or refrain from talking any action, and it will
not, to the extent that any action of the Company and its Subsidiaries is
subject to cumulative dollar limitations applicable to the Company and its
Subsidiaries under any restrictive covenant or other provision of any such Loan
Document, take any such action if in so doing such dollar limitations would be
exceeded

          (b) Senior Note Agreement. Each Guarantor covenants and agrees that so
long as any Senior Note shall remain unpaid, unless the Majority Noteholders (as
hereinafter defined) shall otherwise consent in writing, it will comply with
each and every covenant and agreement of the Company contained in the Senior
Note Documents which indicates that the Company will cause such Guarantor to
take or refrain from taking any action, and it will not, to the extent that any
action of the Company and its Subsidiaries is subject to cumulative dollar
limitations applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries under any restrictive
covenant or other provision of any Senior Note Document, take any such action if
in so doing such dollar limitations would be exceeded.

                                    XII-B-9
<PAGE>
 
          11.  Continuing Guaranty; No Waiver.  This Guaranty is a continuing 
               ------------------------------                                   
one and all liabilities to which it applies or may apply under the terms hereof
shall be conclusively presumed to have been created in reliance hereon.  No
failure or delay on the part of the Guaranteed Parties in exercising any right,
power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any right, power or privilege hereunder preclude
any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power
or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein expressly specified are cumulative
and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which the Guaranteed Parties would
otherwise have.  No notice to or demand on Guarantor in any case shall entitle
Guarantor or any other guarantor to any other further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances or constitute a waiver of the rights of the
Guaranteed Parties to any other or further action in any circumstances without
notice or demand.

          12.  Successors and Assigns.  This Guaranty shall be binding upon
               ----------------------                                      
Guarantor and its successors and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the
Guaranteed Parties and their successors and assigns.

          13.  Costs and Expenses.  Guarantor hereby agrees to pay all 
               ------------------                          
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Guaranteed Parties in
connection with the enforcement of this Guaranty (including, without limitation,
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel employed by the Guaranteed
Parties).

          14.  Amendments.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of this
               ----------                                                  
Guaranty, and no consent to any departure by the Guarantor herefrom, shall in
any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by:  (i)
the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties (as hereinafter defined), in the case of
amendments or waivers which affect only the Bank Parties and the Guarantor);
(ii) the Majority Noteholders (as hereinafter defined), in the case of
amendments or waivers which affect only the Noteholders and the Guarantor, or
(iii) the Majority Bank Guaranteed Parties and the Majority Noteholders, in all
other cases, and then in each case such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

          15.  Acknowledgement of Credit Agreement and Senior Note Agreement.
               -------------------------------------------------------------  
Guarantor acknowledges that executed (or conformed) copies of the Credit
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), and
of the Senior Note Agreement and the other Senior Note Documents, have been made
available to its principal executive officers and such officers are familiar
with the contents thereof.

          16.  Termination.  This Guaranty shall terminate and be of no further
               -----------                                                     
force and effect when all Guaranteed Obligations shall have been paid in full,
the Lender and the Issuing Lender shall not have any remaining Commitments (as
defined in the Credit Agreement) under the Credit Agreement and all of the
Letters of Credit (as defined in the Credit Agreement) shall have expired or
been cancelled.  This Guaranty shall be reinstated and revived, and the
enforceability hereof shall continue, with respect to any amount at any time
paid to any Guaranteed Party on account of the Guaranteed Obligations which
thereafter shall be required to be restored or returned by such Guaranteed Party
upon any bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of Company,

                                   XII-B-10
<PAGE>
 
Guarantor or any other Person or otherwise, as if such amount had not been paid
or permitted to be paid.

          17.  Addresses for Notices.  All notices and other communications 
               ---------------------   
provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including telecopier, telegraphic,
telex or cable communication) and mailed, telecopied, telegraphed, telexed,
cabled or delivered to it, if to the Guarantor, at its address set forth
opposite its signature below, with a copy to Company at its address specified in
the Credit Agreement, and if to any Bank Party, at its address specified in the
Credit Agreement, and if to any Noteholder, at its address specified in the
Senior Note Agreement or, as to any party, at such other address as shall be
designated by such party in a written notice to the other parties. All such
notices and other communications shall, when mailed, telecopied, telegraphed,
telexed or cabled, be effective when deposited in the mails, telecopied,
delivered to the telegraph company, confirmed by telex answerback or delivered
to the cable company, respectively.

          18.  Reinstatement.  If any claim is ever made upon the Guaranteed 
               -------------    
Parties for repayment or recovery of any amount or amounts received in payment
or on account of any Guaranteed Obligations and any of the aforesaid payees
repays all or part of said amount by reason of (a) any judgment, decree or order
of any court or administrative body having jurisdiction over such payee or any
of its property or (b) any settlement or compromise of any such claim effected
by such payee with any such claimant (including the Company), then and in such
event Guarantor agrees that any such judgment, decree, order, settlement or
compromise shall be binding upon it, notwithstanding any termination or
revocation hereof or the cancellation of any instrument evidencing any liability
of the Company or the Guarantor, and Guarantor shall be and remain liable to the
aforesaid payees hereunder for the amount so repaid or recovered to the same
extent as if such amount had never originally been received by any such payee.

          19.  Pro Rata Payments.  All payments made by Guarantor hereunder 
               -----------------    
shall be applied by the Guarantor to the ratable payment of the Guaranteed
Obligations due and owing to the Guaranteed Parties. Such ratable application
shall be required and effective whether or not all or any portion of the
obligations of the Guarantor hereunder shall be rendered invalid or
unenforceable under any fraudulent transfer, fraudulent conveyance or other
similar law, it being the intent of the Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties
that any payments made by the Guarantor hereunder shall be applied ratably to
the holders of the Guaranteed Obligations then due and owing without regard to
the invalidity or unenforceability of any portion of this Guaranty.

          20.  Multiple Demands; Joint Action by Guaranteed Parties.  Guarantor
               ----------------------------------------------------            
acknowledges that Guaranteed Parties may make one or more demands for payment
hereunder, and that the existence of any such demand shall in no way limit the
rights of the Guaranteed Parties to make additional, further or other subsequent
demands.  Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement), no demand may be made hereunder
by the Bank Parties unless such demand is made on behalf of all of the Bank
Parties with the consent of the Requisite Lenders (as defined in the Credit
Agreement) ("MAJORITY BANK GUARANTEED

                                   XII-B-11
<PAGE>
 
PARTIES").  Furthermore, notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision in
this Guaranty or the Senior Note Documents, no demand may be made hereunder by
the Noteholders unless such demand is made on behalf of all of the Noteholders
with the consent of holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the outstanding
principal amount of the Senior Notes ("MAJORITY NOTEHOLDERS").

          21.  Release Provisions.  If all of the stock of Guarantor shall be 
               ------------------        
sold or otherwise disposed of in a transaction not prohibited by the Loan
Documents (as defined in the Credit Agreement) or the Senior Note Documents (in
each case after giving effect to any required application of the proceeds
thereof), the obligations of Guarantor hereunder shall automatically be
discharged and released without any further action by any Guaranteed Party,
effective as of the time of such sale or other disposition.

          22.  Statue of Limitations.  Any acknowledgement or new promise, 
               ---------------------
whether by payment of principal or interest or otherwise and whether by the
Company or others (including Guarantor), with respect to any of the Guaranteed
Obligations shall, if the statute of limitations in favor of Guarantor against
the Guaranteed Parties shall have commenced to run, toll the running of such
statute of limitations, and if the period of such statute of limitations shall
have expired, prevent the operation of such statute of limitations.

          23.  CHOICE OF LAW.  THIS GUARANTY AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF 
               -------------                                       
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          24.  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION AND SERVICE OF PROCESS.  GUARANTOR HEREBY
               ----------------------------------------------                   
CONSENTS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED WITHIN EITHER
OR THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, STATE OF NEW YORK, OR THE CITY OF CHICAGO, STATE OF
ILLINOIS, OR THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, AND IRREVOCABLY
AGREES THAT, SUBJECT TO THE GUARANTEED PARTIES' ELECTION, ALL ACTIONS OR
PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY OR THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL BE LITIGATED IN SUCH COURTS.
GUARANTOR ACCEPTS FOR ITSELF AND IN CONNECTION WITH ITS PROPERTIES, GENERALLY
AND UNCONDITIONALLY, THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE AFORESAID COURTS AND
WAIVES ANY DEFENSE OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS, AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND
BY ANY JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH THIS GUARANTY AND THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT) OR SUCH OBLIGATION.
GUARANTOR DESIGNATES AND APPOINTS CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 1633 BROADWAY, NEW
YORK, NEW YORK 10019, CT CORPORATION SYSTEM, 208 SOUTH LA SALLE STREET, CHICAGO,
ILLINOIS, 60604, AND SUCH OTHER PERSONS AS MAY HEREAFTER BE SELECTED BY
GUARANTOR WHICH IRREVOCABLY AGREE IN WRITING TO SO SERVE AS ITS AGENT TO RECEIVE
ON ITS BEHALF

                                   XII-B-12
<PAGE>
 
SERVICE OF ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH PROCEEDINGS IN ANY SUCH COURT IN NEW YORK,
ILLINOIS OR CALIFORNIA, RESPECTIVELY, SUCH SERVICE BEING HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGED BY
GUARANTOR TO BE EFFECTIVE AND BINDING SERVICE IN EVERY RESPECT.  A COPY OF ANY
SUCH PROCESS SO SERVED SHALL BE MAILED BY REGISTERED MAIL TO GUARANTOR AT ITS
ADDRESS PROVIDED NEXT TO ITS SIGNATURE HERETO EXCEPT THAT UNLESS OTHERWISE
PROVIDED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY FAILURE TO MAIL SUCH COPY SHALL NOT AFFECT THE
VALIDITY OF SERVICE OF PROCESS.  IF ANY AGENT APPOINTED BY GUARANTOR REFUSES TO
ACCEPT SERVICE, GUARANTOR HEREBY AGREES THAT SERVICE UPON IT BY MAIL SHALL
CONSTITUTE SUFFICIENT NOTICE.  NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT TO SERVE
PROCESS IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR SHALL LIMIT THE RIGHT OF THE
GUARANTEED PARTIES TO BRING PROCEEDINGS AGAINST GUARANTOR IN THE COURTS OF ANY
OTHER JURISDICTION.

          25.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  THE GUARANTOR AND THE GUARANTEED PARTIES 
               -------------------- 
EACH HEREBY WAIVE THEIR RESPECTIVE RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE
OF ACTION BASED UPON OR ARISING OUT OF THIS GUARANTY, ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), ANY OF THE OTHER SENIOR NOTE
DOCUMENTS OR ANY DEALINGS BETWEEN OR AMONG THEM RELATING TO THE SUBJECT MATTER
OF THIS GUARANTY AND THE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS BEING ESTABLISHED. THE GUARANTOR
AND THE GUARANTEED PARTIES ALSO EACH WAIVE ANY BOND OR SURETY OR SECURITY UPON
SUCH BOND WHICH MIGHT, BUT FOR THIS WAIVER, BE REQUIRED OF EITHER GUARANTEED
PARTY. The scope of this waiver is intended to be all-encompassing of any and
all disputes that may be filed in any court and that relate to the subject
matter of this transaction, including without limitation, contract claims, tort
claims, breach of duty claim and all other common law and statutory claims. The
Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties each acknowledge that this waiver is a
material inducement to enter into a business relationship, that each has already
relied on the waiver in entering into this Guaranty and the other Loan Documents
(as defined in the Credit Agreement) and the other Senior Note Documents and
that each will continue to rely on the waiver in their related future dealings.
The Guarantor and the Guaranteed Parties further warrant and represent that each
has reviewed this waiver with its legal counsel, and that each knowingly and
voluntarily waives its jury trial rights following consultation with legal
counsel. THIS WAIVER IS IRREVOCABLE, MEANING THAT IT MAY NOT BE MODIFIED EITHER
ORALLY OR IN WRITING, AND THE WAIVER SHALL APPLY TO ANY SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS,
RENEWALS, SUPPLEMENTS OR MODIFICATIONS TO THIS GUARANTY, THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS (AS DEFINED IN THE CREDIT AGREEMENT), THE OTHER SENIOR NOTE DOCUMENTS
OR TO ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THIS GUARANTY. IN THE EVENT
OF LITIGATION, THIS GUARANTY MAY BE FILED AS A WRITTEN CONSENT TO A TRIAL BY THE
COURT.

                                   XII-B-13
<PAGE>
 
          26.  Counterparts.  This Guaranty may be executed in any number of
               ------------                                                 
counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be an original, but all of which
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.  A set of counterparts
executed by all the parties hereto shall be lodged with the Company and the
Guaranteed Parties.


                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                   XII-B-14
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Guarantor has caused this Guaranty to be executed
and delivered as of the date first above written.

Address
- -------
                                        [Subsidiary]


                                        By________________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:


Acknowledged

Varco International, Inc.

By____________________________
 Name:
 Title:

                                   XII-B-15
<PAGE>
 
                      NINTH AMENDMENT, WAIVER AND CONSENT
                           DATED AS OF JUNE 27, 1997

     NINTH AMENDMENT, WAIVER AND CONSENT dated as of June 27, 1997 (this 
"Amendment and Consent") to CREDIT AGREEMENT dated as of February 25, 1993 (as 
amended by First Amendment dated as of August 3, 1993, Second Amendment dated as
of September 23, 1993, Third Amendment dated as of December 1, 1993, Fourth 
Amendment dated as of May 12, 1994, Fifth Amendment and Waiver dated as of
October 31, 1994, Sixth Amendment dated as of March 17, 1995, Seventh Amendment
dated as of December 31, 1995, and Eighth Amendment dated as of June 9, 1997,
the "Credit Agreement") among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a California
corporation, CITICORP USA, INC. and CITIBANK, N.A.

     PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS.  The parties to the Credit Agreement wish to amend 
the Credit Agreement in certain respects as hereinafter set forth. Terms defined
in the Credit Agreement are used in this Amendment and Consent as defined in the
Credit Agreement and, except as otherwise indicated, all references to Sections 
and Articles refer to the corresponding Sections and Articles of the Credit 
Agreement.

     The parties hereto therefore agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  Amendment.  Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (as 
                 ---------
defined in Section 3 hereof), and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions 
precedent set forth in Section 3 hereof, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended 
as follows:

     a.   Section 1.01 is amended by deleting all defined terms which are not 
used in the Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment and Consent.

     b.   The following Sections of Article II are deleted: 2.01, 2.02, 2.03, 
2.04(a), 2.04(b) except the paragraph commencing with the caption "Payment of 
                                                                   ----------
Amounts Drawn Under Letters of Credit", which shall be lettered "(c)", 2.04(g), 
- -------------------------------------
2.06, 2.07, 2.08, 2.09, 2.11, 2.13(d), and 2.15.

     c.   The penultimate sentence of the paragraph of Section 2.04(b) which is 
lettered as Section 2.04(c) above) of Article II is deleted and restated as 
follows:

          Any such amount which is not reimbursed to the Issuing Bank within one
          Business Day after notice thereof by the Issuing Bank shall thereafter
          bear interest, until the amount is reimbursed in full to such Issuing
          Bank at 2.5% above the Base Rate in effect from time to time.
<PAGE>
 
     d.   Article III is deleted.

     e.   Article IV is deleted.

     f.   Article V is deleted.

     g.   Article VI is deleted.

     h.   The following Sections of this Article VII are deleted: 7.04, 7.09, 
and 7.12

     i.   All Exhibits to the Credit Agreement which are not referred to in the 
Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment and Consent are deleted.

     SECTION 2.  Release of Guaranties and Subordination Agreements; Termination
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
of Commitment.  (a) Effective as of the Amendment Effective Date (as defined in 
- -------------
Section 3 hereof), and subject to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent 
set forth in Section 3 hereof, the Lender and the Issuing Bank terminate their
respective rights under, and release all outstanding Guaranties and
Subordination Agreements. Each of the Lender and the Issuing Bank represents and
warrants to the Borrower that neither the Lender nor the Issuing Bank has
assigned to any other Person any of its rights under the Loan Agreement, any
Guaranty, any Subordination Agreement or any other Loan Document.

     (b)  The Borrower hereby gives notice pursuant to Section 2.07(d) of the 
termination in whole of the Commitment, effective as of the Amendment Effective 
Date, and agrees that the Commitment, once terminated, shall not be reinstated. 
The Lender hereby waives any notice of such termination otherwise required under
Section 2.07(d).

     SECTION 3.  Conditions to Effectiveness.  This Amendment and Consent shall 
                 ---------------------------
be effective as of June 27, 1997 (the "Amendment Effective Date"), subject to 
the Lender's receipt of: (i) a counterpart of this Amendment and Consent 
executed by the Borrower, (ii) a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant 
Secretary of the Borrower attaching a copy of the resolutions of the Board of 
Directors of the Borrower authorizing the execution and delivery of this 
Amendment and Consent and certifying the name and true signature of each officer
of the Borrower executing this Amendment and Consent on its behalf, (iv) 
repayment in full of all outstanding Advances, together with interest thereon to
the Amendment Effective Date and any amounts payable under Section 7.05(b) in 
connection with the repayment of such advances, (v) payment of all commitment 
fees under Section 2.06 accrued through the Amendment Effective Date and any 
unpaid reimbursement obligations in respect of Letters of Credit which are 
outstanding and unpaid on the Amendment Effective Date, and (vi) a Letter of 

                                      2.
<PAGE>
 
Credit issued by Union Bank of California, N.A., naming the Issuing Bank as 
beneficiary, in a face amount equal to the aggregate face amounts of all Letters
of Credit outstanding on the Amendment Effective Date, and otherwise 
substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

     SECTION 4.  Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower represents and 
                 ------------------------------
warrants as follows as of the date hereof and the Effective Date: (a) the 
Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing 
under the laws of the jurisdiction indicated at the beginning of this Amendment 
and Consent; (b) the execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of this
Amendment and Consent are within the Borrower's corporate powers, have been duly
authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not contravene the 
Borrower's charter or by-laws, or any law or any contractual restriction binding
on or affecting the Borrower; and (c) no authorization, approval or other action
by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory 
body is required for the due execution and delivery by the Borrower of this 
Amendment and Consent or for the performance by the Borrower of the Credit 
Agreement as hereby amended; (d) this Amendment and Consent and the Credit 
Agreement as hereby amended constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations 
of the Borrower enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with their 
respective terms.

     SECTION 5.  Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement.  Upon the 
                 -----------------------------------------------
effectiveness of Section 1 hereof, on and after the Effective Date, each 
reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder", "hereof", 
"herein" or words of like import, and each reference in the Note or the other 
Loan Documents to "the Credit Agreement", shall mean and be a reference to the 
Credit Agreement as amended by this Amendment and Consent. Except as 
specifically amended above, the Credit Agreement shall continue to be in full 
force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.

     SECTION 6.  Execution in Counterparts.  This Amendment and Consent may be 
                 -------------------------
executed in any number of counterparts and by any combination of the parties 
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which counterparts shall be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

     SECTION 7.  Governing Law.  This Amendment and Consent shall be governed 
                 -------------
by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

                                      3.
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date 
first above written.

                                   VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                   By:_______________________________
                                   Title:____________________________


                                   CITICORP USA, INC.

                                   By:_______________________________
                                         Vice President

                                   
                                   CITIBANK, N.A.
     
                                   By:_______________________________
                                         Vice President

                                      4.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.9

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                               FIRST AMENDMENT 
                              TO CREDIT AGREEMENT



          This FIRST AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT") is dated
as of July 15, 1997 and entered into by and among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a
California corporation ("COMPANY"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to herein as a "LENDER" and
collectively as "LENDERS"), and UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("UBOC"), as
agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "AGENT"), and is made with reference to
that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997 (the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT"), by and among Company, Lenders and Agent.  Capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth in
the Credit Agreement.

                                   RECITALS

          WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement to
permit the Issuing Lender to issue Letters of Credit for the benefit of the
Company's Subsidiaries;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements,
provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

          AMENDMENT TO SECTION 3.  LETTERS OF CREDIT
          ------------------------------------------

          Section 3 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by adding after
the phrase "that Issuing Lender issue Letters of Credit for the account of
Company" appearing in subsection 3.1A thereof the phrase "for the benefit of
Company or any of its Subsidiaries."

          SECTION 2.  MISCELLANEOUS

          A.   REFERENCE TO AND EFFECT ON THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENTS.

          (i)  Each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement",
     "hereunder", "hereof", "herein" or words of like import referring to the
     Credit 

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the "Credit
     Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to
     the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to this Amended
     Agreement.

          (ii)  Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit
     Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and
     effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

          (iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment
     shall not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any
     provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Agent
     or any Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
     Documents.

          B.    FEES AND EXPENSES.  Company acknowledges that all reasonable
costs, fees and expenses as described in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement
incurred by Agent and its counsel with respect to this Amendment and the
documents and transactions contemplated hereby shall be for the account of
Company.

          C.    HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this Amendment are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a
part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

          D.    APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA),
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

          E.    COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment may be executed in
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate
counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages
are physically attached to the same document.  This Amendment shall become
effective and shall be retroactive to June 27, 1997 upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by Requisite Lenders and each of the other parties hereto and
receipt by Company and Agent of written or telephonic notification of such
execution and authorization of delivery thereof.


                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

 
          COMPANY:

                         VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                         By:  _____________________________
                         Title:
 


                         Notice Address:

                              743 North Eckhoff Street
                              Orange, CA 92868
                              Attention: Chief Financial Officer



          LENDERS:

                         UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
                         as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Agent

                         By:  __________________________________
                         Title:


                         Notice Address:

                              445 South Figueroa Street
                              16th Floor
                              Los Angeles, CA 90071
                              Attention: Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN  BANK, as a Lender



                         By:  ________________________________
                         Title:


                         Notice Address:

                              707 Travis Street, 5th Floor
                              Houston, TX  77002
                              Attention: Darl Petty
 
                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                         MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF 
                         NEW YORK, as a Lender


                         By:  _______________________________
                         Title:


                         Notice Address:

                              60 Wall Street
                              New York, NY 10260
                              Attention: Robert Barrett
 
                                      S-3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.10

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                               SECOND AMENDMENT
                              TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


     This SECOND AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT") is dated as of
August 13, 1997 and entered into by and among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a 
California corporation ("COMPANY"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE 
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to herein as a "LENDER" and 
collectively as "LENDERS"), and UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("UBOC"), as 
agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "AGENT"), and is made with reference to 
that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as amended by a First 
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 1997 (as so amended the 
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"), by and among Company, Lenders and Agent. Capitalized terms 
used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth 
in the Credit Agreement.

                                   RECITALS

     WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement in certain 
respects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, 
provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

     AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 7.9.  RESTRICTION ON LEASES
     ---------------------------------------------------

     Subsection 7.9 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting
"$5,000,000" set forth therein and substituting therefor "$10,000,000".

     SECTION 2.  MISCELLANEOUS

     A.  REFERENCE TO AND EFFECT ON THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN 
DOCUMENTS.

     (i)  Each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", 
  "hereunder", "hereof", "herein" or words of like import referring to the
  Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the 
  "Credit

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to
     the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to this Amended 
     Agreement.

          (ii)  Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit
     Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and
     effect and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

          (iii) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall
     not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any
     provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Agent
     or any Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan 
     Documents.

           B.  FEES AND EXPENSES.  Company acknowledges that all reasonable 
costs, fees and expenses as described in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement
incurred by Agent and its counsel with respect to this Amendment and the 
documents and transactions contemplated hereby shall be for the account of 
Company.

           C.  HEADINGS.  Section and subsection headings in this Amendment are 
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a 
part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

           D.  APPLICABLE LAW.  THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING 
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA),
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

           E.  COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment may be executed in 
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate 
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an 
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the 
same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate 
counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages 
are physically attached to the same document.  This Amendment shall become 
effective and shall be retroactive to June 27, 1997 upon the execution of a 
counterpart hereof by Requisite Lenders and each of the other parties hereto and
receipt by Company and Agent of written or telephonic notification of such 
execution and authorization of delivery thereof.



                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly 
authorized as of the date first written above.

     COMPANY:

                                     VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                     By: /s/ R.A. KERTSON
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President

                                     Notice Address:

                                           743 North Eckhoff Street
                                           Orange, CA 92868
                                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer

     LENDERS:

                                     UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
                                     as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Agent

                                
                                     By:  /s/ 
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Title: 

                                     Notice Address:

                                           445 South Figueroa Street
                                           16th Floor
                                           Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                           Attention: Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.

                                      S-1
<PAGE>
 
                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as a Lender


                                     By: /s/ 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President

                                     Notice Address:

                                           707 Travis Street, 5th Floor
                                           Houston, TX 77002
                                           Attention: Darl Petty


                                      S-2

<PAGE>
 
                                     MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW
                                     YORK, as a Lender


                                     By: /s/ ROBERT L. BARRETT
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President

                                     Notice Address:

                                           60 Wall Street
                                           New York, NY 10260
                                           Attention: Robert Barrett


                                      S-3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.11

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                                THIRD AMENDMENT
                              TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


         This THIRD AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "Amendment") is dated as
of November 7, 1997 and entered into by and among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC., a 
California corporation ("Company"), THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE 
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to herein as a "Lender" and 
collectively as "Lenders"), and UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("UBOC"), as 
agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "Agent"), and is made with reference to 
that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as amended by a First 
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 1997 and by a Second 
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1997 (as so amended the 
"Credit Agreement"), by and among Company, Lenders and Agent. Capitalized terms 
used herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth 
in the Credit Agreement.

                                   RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement in 
certain respects;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, 
provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         Section 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT

         A.    Amendment to Subsection 7.6D. MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED CURRENT RATIO
               ----------------------------------------------------------------

         Subsection 7.6D of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting 
"2.00 to 1.00" set forth therein and substituting therefor "1.50 to 1.00".

         B.    Amendment to Compliance Certificate
               -----------------------------------

         Exhibit V to the Credit Agreement (Form of Compliance Certificate) is 
hereby amended by deleting "2.00:1.00" in item I.4. of Attachment 1, and 
substituting therefor "1.50:1.00".

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          Section 2. MISCELLANEOUS

          A.     Reference to and Effect on the Credit Agreement and the Other 
                 Loan Documents.

          (i)    Each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", 
    "hereunder", "hereof", "herein" or words of like import referring to the
    Credit Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the
    "Credit Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import
    referring to the Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to this
    Amended Agreement.

          (ii)   Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit 
    Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect
    and are hereby ratified and confirmed.

          (iii)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall
    not, except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any
    provision of, or operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Agent
    or any Lender under, the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
    Documents.

          B.     Fees and Expenses. Company acknowledges that all reasonable 
costs, fees and expenses as described in subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement
incurred by Agent and its counsel with respect to this Amendment and the 
documents and transactions contemplated hereby shall be for the account of 
Company.

          C.     Headings. Section and subsection headings in this Amendment are
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a 
part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

          D.     Applicable Law. THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS 
OF THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND 
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA 
(INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF 
CALIFORNIA), WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

          E.     Counterparts; Effectiveness. This Amendment may be executed in 
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate 
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an 
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the 
same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate 
counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages 
are physically attached to the same document. This Amendment shall become 
effective and shall be retroactive to September 30, 1997 upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by Requisite Lenders and each of the other

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
parties hereto and receipt by Company and Agent of written or telephonic 
notification of such execution and authorization of delivery thereof.



                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be 
duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly 
authorized as of the date first written above.

     COMPANY:

                                     VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                                     By: 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title: 

                                     Notice Address:

                                           743 North Eckhoff Street
                                           Orange, CA 92868
                                           Attention: Chief Financial Officer

     LENDERS:

                                     UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.
                                     as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Agent

                                
                                     By:
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title:

                                     Notice Address:

                                           445 South Figueroa Street
                                           16th Floor
                                           Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                           Attention: Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.

                                      S-1

<PAGE>
 
 
                                     THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, as a Lender


                                     By: 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title: 

                                     Notice Address:

                                           707 Travis Street, 5th Floor
                                           Houston, TX 77002
                                           Attention: Darl Petty




                                      S-2

<PAGE>
 

                                     MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW
                                     YORK, as a Lender


                                     By: 
                                         ---------------------------------------
                                     Name:
                                     Title: 

                                     Notice Address:

                                           60 Wall Street
                                           New York, NY 10260
                                           Attention: Robert Barrett


                                      S-3


<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.12

                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.


                               FOURTH AMENDMENT
                              TO CREDIT AGREEMENT



         This FOURTH AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT (this "AMENDMENT") is dated
as of February 18, 1998 and entered into by and among VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.,
a California corporation ("COMPANY"). THE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS LISTED ON THE
SIGNATURE PAGES HEREOF (each individually referred to herein as a "LENDER" and
collectively as "LENDERS"), and UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A. ("UBOC"), as
agent for Lenders (in such capacity, "AGENT"), and is made with reference to
that certain Credit Agreement dated as of June 27, 1997, as amended by a First
Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of July 15, 1997, by a Second Amendment
to Credit Agreement dated as of August 13, 1997 and by a Third Amendment to
Credit Agreement dated as of November 7, 1997 (as so amended the "CREDIT
AGREEMENT"), by and among Company, Lenders and Agent. Capitalized terms used
herein without definition shall have the same meanings herein as set forth in
the Credit Agreement.

                                   RECITALS

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto wish to amend the Credit Agreement in 
certain respects;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the agreements, 
provisions and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT; WAIVER.

         A.     AMENDMENT TO SUBSECTION 5.11, EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS.
                ----------------------------------------------------

                Subsection 5.11 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended and 
restated in its entirety to read as follows:

                "5.11 Employee Benefit Plans.
                 ---------------------------

                Neither Company nor any ERISA Affiliate maintains or has ever 
maintained, contributes to or has ever contributed to, or is obligated to 
contribute to or has ever been obligated to contribute to, any Employee Benefit 
Plan subject to Title IV of ERISA."

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
     B.     WAIVER.
            ------

            The Lenders hereby waive any Event of Default that may have occurred
prior to the effective date of this Amendment by virtue of the representation 
and warranty set forth in Subsection 5.11, but only to the extent such Event of 
Default would not have occurred after giving effect to the amendment set forth 
in Section 1A. of the Amendment.

     SECTION 2.  MISCELLANEOUS

     A.     REFERENCE TO AND EFFECT ON THE CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN 
            DOCUMENTS.

     (i)    Each reference in the Credit Agreement to "this Agreement", 
"hereunder", "hereof", "herein" or words of like import referring to the Credit 
Agreement, and each reference in the other Loan Documents to the "Credit 
Agreement", "thereunder", "thereof" or words of like import referring to the 
Credit Agreement shall mean and be a reference to this Amended Agreement.

     (ii)   Except as specifically amended by this Amendment, the Credit 
Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall remain in full force and effect and
are hereby ratified and confirmed.

     (iii)  The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment shall not,
except as expressly provided herein, constitute a waiver of any provision of, or
operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of Agent or any Lender under, 
the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

     B.     FEES AND EXPENSES.  Company acknowledges that all reasonable costs, 
fees and expenses as described in Subsection 10.2 of the Credit Agreement 
incurred by Agent and its counsel with respect to this Amendment and the 
documents and transactions contemplated hereby shall be for the account of 
Company.

     C.     HEADINGS.  Section and Subsection headings in this Amendment are 
included herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a 
part of this Amendment for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

     D.     APPLICABLE LAW.  THIS AMENDMENT AND THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF 
THE PARTIES HEREUNDER SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED 
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA (INCLUDING 
WITHOUT LIMITATION SECTION 1646.5 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA),
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES.

                                       2



<PAGE>
 
            E.  COUNTERPARTS; EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment may be executed in 
any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate 
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an 
original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute but one and the
same instrument; signature pages may be detached from multiple separate
counterparts and attached to a single counterpart so that all signature pages
are physically attached to the same document. This Amendment shall become
effective and shall be retroactive to December 31, 1997 upon the execution of a
counterpart hereof by Requisite Lenders and each of the other parties hereto and
receipt by Company and Agent of written or telephonic notification of such
execution and authorization of delivery thereof.


                 [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the date first written above.

           
          COMPANY:   
               
                             VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.

                             By: /s/ R.A. Kertson
                                 ------------------------
                             Name:  R.A. Kertson
                             Title: Vice President - Finance



                             Notice Address:

                                    743 North Eckhoff Street
                                    Orange, CA 92868
                                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer



          LENDERS:

                             UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.   
                             as a Lender, as Issuing Lender and as Agent

                             By: /s/ Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.
                                 ----------------------------------------
                             Name:  Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.
                             Title: Vice President


                             Notice Address:

                                    445 South Figueroa Street
                                    16th Floor
                                    Los Angeles, CA 90071
                                    Attention:  Andrew G. Ewing, Jr.

                                     S-1  
<PAGE>
 
                                          THE CHASE MANHANTTAN BANK, as a Lender



                                          By:  /s/ James C. Nicholas
                                             ------------------------
                                             Name:  James C. Nicholas
                                             Title: Executive Vice President


                                           Notice Address:

                                             707 Travis Street, 5th Floor
                                             Houston, TX 77002
                                             Attention:  Darl Petty

                                      S-2
<PAGE>
 
                                  MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST COMPANY OF NEW 
                                  YORK as a Lender

                                  By: /s/ Robert Bottamedi
                                      ----------------------------
                                  Name:  Robert Bottamedi
                                  Title: Vice President

  
                                  Notice Address:

                                         60 Wall Street
                                         New York, NY 10260
                                         Attention:  Robert Barrett


                                      S-3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.7

 
                            SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE
                           VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                    SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

        This Amendment by Varco International, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as
the "Company") is made with reference to the following facts:

        Effective January 1, 1991, the Company adopted the Varco International, 
Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (hereinafter the "Plan") which 
reserves to the Board of Directors (hereinafter the "Board") the right to amend 
the Plan (Section 7.03 thereof).  The Board has adopted a Resolution approving 
this First Amendment and an authorized officer of the Company has executed the 
same amending the Plan in the manner hereinafter provided.

        NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended as follows:



                                       I.

        Effective as of January 1, 1997, Section 3.01 of the Plan is amended to 
correct and clarify the meaning of this section by replacing this section with 
the following:

        "Each Participant shall have a nonforfeitable right to receive an annual
fixed dollar amount equal to 40% of the average of a Participant's highest 
five calendar years of base salary. For example, if an Employee who is 100% 
vested and who turns 65 on January 1, 1997, wants to retire in 1997, and he
earns $110,000 in 1992, $115,000 in 1993, $120,000 in 1994, $125,000 in 1995,
and $130,000 in 1996, for a total of $600,000. His average pay for his highest
five calendar years would be $120,000. His annual benefit would be 40% of
$120,000 or $48,000 ($4,000 per month). This annual benefit is a guaranteed
benefit payable for 120 months to the Participant and, in the event of his death
prior to receiving 120 payments, the remaining payments would continue to his
Beneficiary until a total of 120 payments have been made. Such amount shall be
multiplied by a fraction in which the numerator is Years of Service at
Retirement and the denominator is 15 if the Participant is hired after attaining
age 50."

                                      II.

        Effective January 1, 1997, Section 3.06(a) is amended by replacing the 
first sentence in that section with the following:

        "The annual benefit for normal retirement pursuant to Section 3.01 shall
be payable in monthly installments beginning at age 65 for a period of 120
months guaranteed."

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 10.22
VARCO INTERNATIONAL INC.
Criteria - 1998 Management Incentive Bonus Plan

The general structure of the Plan and the financial performance criteria
employed remain generally unchanged from recent years.  The cash bonus payout is
expressed as a percentage of annual salary and is a function of Salary Grade and
the financial performance level achieved.  Financial performance is measured by
profitability (Net Income at the total Company level and Operating Income at the
Division level) and return on investment (Economic Value Added or "EVA" at both
the total Company and Division level).  As the company has increasingly used EVA
as a measure of overall financial performance it is being adopted as a Bonus
Plan criteria for the first time this year, replacing Operating Profit Return on
Assets for Division performance and Cash Flow ROI as a measure of total Company
performance.  To earn the bonus points associated with a given level of
financial performance, both the minimum profit and return on investment
                       ----                                            
associated with that level must be achieved.

In 1997 there was once again a wide disparity in bonus points among the five
Divisions, and we believe the bonus plan accurately reflected the financial
performance realized by each Division.  The Annual Financial Plan equated to 7
Bonus Points for all Divisions and for the Corporation.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Bonus      Annual Plan                Actual
                          Points   Profit   R.O.I.    Profit    R.O.I.
                          ------   ------   -------   -------   -------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>
 
Drilling Systems            15      $24.3     42.2%    $36.3      63.7%
Varco BJ Oil Tools *        12        9.3     32.2      12.3*     38.7*
MD/TOTCO                    13       14.8     40.0      20.1      50.9
Shaffer                      8       23.1     35.1      27.1      36.2
Thule Rigtech                0        1.6    110.7        .8      28.7
Company                     12      $  .55    16.0     $  .76     23.0
</TABLE>

* Actual results were adjusted for impact of exchange rate variance from planned
  rate for bonus calculation.

<PAGE>
 
A summary of the key elements of the proposed 1998 Management Incentive Bonus
Plan follows:
 
 .  Achieving the Annual Financial Plan equates to 9 Bonus Points; repeating 1997
   results would earn 4 points.

 .  The bonus percentages (bonus/salary ratio) associated with each Bonus Point
   level have been revised for all Salary Grades. The ratio which equates to the
   75th percentile in the salary survey data is set at 8 Bonus Points; the
   average ratio is set at 4 Bonus Points. Thus, achieving the 1998 Plan would
   result in a bonus slightly above the 75th percentile, repeating 1997
   performance would yield an average bonus.

 .  The new 9 Bonus Point percentages (i.e. Plan) equate to approximately 11/12
   Bonus Points under last year's plan for Division Vice Presidents (Salary
   Grade 13) and above, and 10/11 Bonus Points for Salary Grades 10-12. This
   change reflects the salary survey data which suggests that during years of
   low bonus payouts our plan became compressed from top to bottom.

 .  The revised Plan reflects the significantly improved financial performance by
   the Company, with the 1997 results being above average, and the 1998 Plan
   performance well above average.


In addition to the cash bonus, it is proposed that each participant in the Plan
be once again eligible for a Stock Bonus, based on total Company performance.
As has been the case for several years, the Stock Bonus would be paid in Varco
stock having a value equal to 1/3 of the bonus amount due a participant based on
his/her Salary Grade and the total Company financial performance level achieved.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
For Division Presidents, 25% of the cash bonus amount is based upon the points
attributable to total Company performance.

Again in 1998 we propose that Corporate Officers have the opportunity to
increase their cash bonus by 50%, or decrease it by 33%, depending on the
performance of Varco Stock relative to a group of 10 peer companies.
Specifically, if the year-to-year increase in the price of Varco Stock (as
measured by the average of the last 5 trading days of 1998 divided by the
average for the last 5 trading days of 1997) is among the top 3 of 11 companies,
Corporate Officers' cash bonuses would be increased by 50%; if Varco's Stock
price increase is among the bottom 3 of the group such bonuses would be reduced
by 33%.  We believe that this aspect of the bonus program achieved its objective
of focusing increased attention on stock price performance.

The peer group would include:  Baker Hughes, Halliburton, Schlumberger, Smith
International, Cooper Cameron, Tuboscope Vetco, Camco, National Oilwell, Energy
Ventures, IRI (replaces Western Atlas ).

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
BONUS POINTS =          2       3      4       5       6       7       8       9      10      11     12      13      14      15
                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
E.P.S.                 $0.55   $0.65  $0.75   $0.85   $0.95   $1.05   $1.15   $1.25   $1.30   $1.35  $1.40   $1.50   $1.60   $1.75

 NET INCOME             36.9    43.6   50.3    57.0    63.7    70.4    77.1    83.8    87.1    90.5   93.8   100.5   107.2   117.3

 AVERAGE INVESTMENT    217.0   227.0  237.0   247.0   257.0   267.0   277.0   287.0   296.0   305.0  314.0   332.0   350.0   377.0

 NET INCOME R.O.I.      17.0%   19.2%  21.2%   23.1%   24.8%   26.3%   27.8%   29.2%   29.4%   29.7%  29.9%   30.3%   30.6%   31.1%

 EVA                   $14.4   $20.2  $26.2   $32.2   $38.2   $44.3   $50.4   $55.0   $59.6   $62.6  $65.6   $71.2   $76.8   $84.6

DRILLING SYSTEMS:

 REVENUE               141.6   153.5  165.5   177.4   189.3   201.2   213.1   225.0   231.0   236.9  242.9   254.8   266.7   284.5

 OPERATING INCOME       27.8    31.4   35.1    38.8    42.5    46.2    49.9    53.6    55.1    56.6   58.1    61.0    64.0    68.5

 AVERAGE NET ASSETS     55.9    58.8   61.8    64.8    67.8    70.7    73.7    76.7    78.5    80.3   82.1    85.6    89.2    94.6

 EVA                    $6.8    $8.7  $10.7   $12.7   $14.7   $16.7   $18.7   $20.7   $21.5   $22.4  $23.2   $24.9   $26.6   $29.0

OIL TOOLS:

 REVENUE                49.7    59.4   69.1    78.9    88.6    98.3   108.1   117.8   120.9   124.0  127.2   133.4   139.6   149.0

OPERATING INCOME         7.7    11.2   14.6    18.0    21.4    24.8    28.2    31.6    32.4    33.2   33.9    35.5    37.1    39.4

 AVERAGE NET ASSETS     28.0    29.9   31.9    33.8    35.8    37.7    39.7    41.6    42.5    43.5   44.6    47.0    49.3    52.8

 EVA                    $0.8    $2.8   $4.7    $6.6    $8.6   $10.5   $12.4   $14.4   $14.9   $15.5  $16.0   $16.9   $17.7   $19.0

M/D TOTCO:
 REVENUE                76.0    82.4   88.8    95.2   101.6   108.0   114.4   120.8   124.0   127.2  130.4   136.8   143.2   152.8

 OPERATING INCOME       18.7    20.1   21.5    22.9    24.3    25.7    27.1    28.5    29.3    30.1   30.9    32.5    34.1    36.5
</TABLE>

                               
                               
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>

<S>                     <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
   AVERAGE NET ASSETS  34.3   37.1   40.0    42.9    45.8   48.6    51.5    54.4     55.5   56.6    57.8    60.0    62.2    65.6

  EVA                  $3.5   $4.0   $4.5    $5.1    $5.6   $6.2    $6.7    $7.3     $7.9   $8.6    $9.2   $10.2   $11.2   $12.6

                        2       3      4       5       6      7       8       9       10     11      12      13      14      15
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHAFFER:
   REVENUE            190.4  200.8  211.3   221.7   232.2   242.6  253.1    263.5   270.5   277.4   284.4   298.4   312.3  333.2


   OPERATING INCOME    22.2   24.5   26.8    29.1    31.4    33.7   36.0     38.3    40.0    41.8    43.5    47.0    50.5   55.7

   AVERAGE NET ASSETS  64.9   65.9   67.0    68.0    69.1    70.1   71.2     72.2    75.3    78.5    81.6    87.9    94.2  103.6

  EVA                  $5.0   $6.3   $7.6    $8.9   $10.3   $11.6  $13.0    $14.3   $15.1   $16.0   $16.8   $16.9   $18.6  $20.4

RIGTECH
   REVENUE             18.0   19.5   21.0    22.5    24.1    25.6   27.1     28.6    29.4    30.1    30.9    32.4    33.9   36.2

   OPERATING INCOME     0.9    1.4    1.8     2.3     2.7     3.2    3.6      4.1     4.3     4.5     4.7     5.0     5.4    6.0

   AVERAGE NET ASSETS   5.3    5.6    6.0     6.4     6.8     7.1    7.5      7.9     8.1     8.4     8.6     9.0     9.5   10.2

 EVA                  ($0.8) ($0.7) ($0.4)  ($0.2)   $0.0    $0.3   $0.6     $0.8    $1.0    $1.1    $1.3    $1.5    $1.8   $2.1
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
       GRADE LEVEL          2    3     4     5     6     7     8     9      10     11     12     13     14    15
                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                       <C>   <C>   <C>  <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>   <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>  <C>
          EXEC             52%  62%   70%   76%   82%   88%   95%   103%   112%   122%   132%   143%   154%   166%
                               
           16              36%  43%   49%   53%   57%   61%   66%    71%    76%    82%    88%    94%   101%   108%
                                                                                             
           15              33%  39%   44%   48%   52%   56%   60%    65%    70%    75%    81%    87%    93%   100%
                                                                                                    
           14              28%  33%   37%   40%   43%   46%   50%    54%    58%    63%    68%    74%    80%   86%
                                                                                                    
           13              20%  23%   26%   28%   30%   32%   35%    38%    41%    45%    49%    53%    58%   63%
                                                                                                    
           12              15%  18%   20%   21%   22%   24%   26%    29%    32%    35%    39%    43%    48%   53%
                                                                                                    
         10/11             10%  13%   15%   16%   17%   18%   20%    22%    24%    27%    30%    34%    38%   42%
</TABLE>

                                       6

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.26

1.   Amendments to 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan
     -----------------------------------------------

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation deems it desirable and
in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders that the
Corporation's 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") be amended in
certain respects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Section 6(a) of the Plan be, the same
hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          "(a)  Term.  The term of each Option shall be ten years from its date
of grant, subject to earlier termination in accordance with Section 7(b) of the
Plan or as follows:

           (i)   If any Eligible Director shall cease to be an Eligible Director
prior to attaining the age of 65 years for any reason other than his or her
death or disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")) while holding an Option which has
not expired and has not been fully exercised, such holder may exercise such
Option to the extent that it was exercisable at the time he or she so ceased to
be an Eligible Director at any time within three months after the date on which
such holder so ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event later than ten
years from the date such Option was granted. Such Option shall terminate upon
the expiration of such period unless the holder dies prior to such expiration,
in which event he or she shall be deemed to have died on the date he or she so
ceased to be an Eligible Director, and such Option shall be exercisable and
terminate in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (ii) below.

           (ii)  If any Eligible Director shall cease to be an Eligible Director
after attaining the age of 65 years or by reason of his or her death or
disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), while holding
an Option which has not expired and has not been fully exercised, such holder
(or his or her guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option to the
extent
<PAGE>
 
hereinafter provided at any time within twelve months after the date on which
such person so ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event later than ten
years from the date such Option was granted, and such Option shall terminate
upon the expiration of such period. Such Option shall be exercisable during such
period to the extent that it was exercisable at the time such person so ceased
to be an Eligible Director, provided, however, that if such Option was granted
at least six months prior to the date such person so ceased to be an Eligible
Director, such Option shall become and be exercisable during such period with
respect to all shares subject thereto."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the last sentence of Section 6(c) of the Plan be, and the
same hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          "Options shall also become exercisable pursuant to the provisions of
Sections 6(a)(ii) and 7(b) of the Plan."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the penultimate sentence of Section 1 of Exhibit 1 to the
Plan, the form of Director Stock Option, be, and the same hereby is, amended to
read in its entirety as follows:

          "Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Option shall become exercisable
with respect to all shares of Common Stock subject hereto immediately upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control and shall become exercisable with respect to
all such shares in certain events in accordance with the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof and of Section 7(b) of the Plan."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that Section 2 of Exhibit 1 to the Plan be, and the same hereby
is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:
<PAGE>
 
          "2.  TERM.  The term of this Option is ten years commencing on
_________________ and ending on _________________, subject to earlier
termination in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan or as follows:

           (a) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director prior to
attaining the age of 65 years for any reason other than his or her death or
disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the
expiration of this Option, the Holder may exercise this Option to the extent
that it was exercisable at the time he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director at any time within three months after the date on which he or she so
ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event later than _________________.
This Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period unless the Holder
dies prior to such expiration, in which event he or she shall be deemed to have
died on the date he or she so ceased to be an Eligible Director, and this Option
shall be exercisable and terminate in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (b) below.

           (b) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director after
attaining the age of 65 years or by reason of his or her death or disability
(within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the expiration
of this Option, the Holder (or his or her guardian or legal representative) may
exercise this Option to the extent hereinafter provided at any time within
twelve months after the date on which he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director, but in no event later than _________________, and this Option shall
terminate upon the expiration of such period. This Option shall be exercisable
during such period to the extent that it was exercisable at the time the Holder
so ceased to be an Eligible Director, provided, however, that if this Option was
granted at least six months prior to the date the Holder so ceased to be an
Eligible Director, this Option shall become and be exercisable during such
period with respect to all shares subject hereto."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the foregoing amendments to the Plan (the "Plan Amendments")
shall be subject to and effective upon approval by the shareholders of the
Corporation at the
<PAGE>
 
Corporation's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders by the affirmative vote of the
holders of a majority of the Common Stock of the Corporation present, or
represented, and entitled to vote at such meeting; and that if such approval is
not obtained, the Plan Amendments shall be void and without effect.

2.   Amendments to August 8, 1996 Options
     ------------------------------------

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation deems it desirable and
in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders that all options
which were granted on August 8, 1996, pursuant to the terms and provisions of
the Plan and are evidenced by written Director Stock Options executed on behalf
of the Corporation and dated August 8, 1996, and which have not terminated in
accordance with their terms (the "August 1996 Options") be amended in certain
respects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the penultimate sentence of Section 1
of each of the August 1996 Options be, and the same hereby is, amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

          "Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Option shall become exercisable
with respect to all shares of Common Stock subject hereto immediately upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control and shall become exercisable with respect to
all such shares in certain events in accordance with the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof and of Section 7(b) of the Plan."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that Section 2 of each of the August 1996 Options be, and the
same hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          "2.  TERM.  The term of this Option is ten years commencing on August
8, 1996, and ending on August 7, 2006, subject to earlier termination in
accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan or as follows:

           (a) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director prior to
attaining the age of 65 years for any
<PAGE>
 
reason other than his or her death or disability (within the meaning of Section
422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the expiration of this Option, the Holder may
exercise this Option to the extent that it was exercisable at the time he or she
so ceased to be an Eligible Director at any time within three months after the
date on which he or she so ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event
later than August 7, 2006. This Option shall terminate upon the expiration of
such period unless the Holder dies prior to such expiration, in which event he
or she shall be deemed to have died on the date he or she so ceased to be an
Eligible Director, and this Option shall be exercisable and terminate in
accordance with the provisions of paragraph (b) below.

           (b) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director after
attaining the age of 65 years or by reason of his or her death or disability
(within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the expiration
of this Option, the Holder (or his or her guardian or legal representative) may
exercise this Option to the extent hereinafter provided at any time within
twelve months after the date on which he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director, but in no event later than August 7, 2006, and this Option shall
terminate upon the expiration of such period. This Option shall be exercisable
during such period with respect to all shares subject hereto."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the foregoing amendments to the August 1996 Options (the
"August 1996 Option Amendments") shall be subject to and effective upon approval
by the shareholders of the Corporation at the Corporation's 1998 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
Common Stock of the Corporation present, or represented, and entitled to vote at
such meeting; and that if such approval is not obtained, the August 1996 Option
Amendments shall be void and without effect.

3.   Amendments to August 14, 1997 Options
     -------------------------------------

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation deems it desirable and
in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders that all options
which were
<PAGE>
 
granted on August 14, 1997, pursuant to the terms and provisions of the Plan and
are evidenced by written Director Stock Options executed on behalf of the
Corporation and dated August 14, 1997, and which have not terminated in
accordance with their terms (the "August 1997 Options") be amended in certain
respects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the penultimate sentence of Section 1
of each of the August 1997 Options be, and the same hereby is, amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

          "Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Option shall become exercisable
with respect to all shares of Common Stock subject hereto immediately upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control and shall become exercisable with respect to
all such shares in certain events in accordance with the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof and of Section 7(b) of the Plan."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that Section 2 of each of the August 1997 Options be, and the
same hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          "2.  TERM.  The term of this Option is ten years commencing on August
14, 1997, and ending on August 13, 2007, subject to earlier termination in
accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan or as follows:

           (a) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director prior to
attaining the age of 65 years for any reason other than his or her death or
disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the
expiration of this Option, the Holder may exercise this Option to the extent
that it was exercisable at the time he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director at any time within three months after the date on which he or she so
ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event later than August 13, 2007.
This Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period unless the Holder
dies prior to such expiration, in which event he or she shall be deemed to have
died on the date he or she so ceased to be an Eligible Director, and this
<PAGE>
 
Option shall be exercisable and terminate in accordance with the provisions of
paragraph (b) below.

           (b) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director after
attaining the age of 65 years or by reason of his or her death or disability
(within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the expiration
of this Option, the Holder (or his or her guardian or legal representative) may
exercise this Option to the extent hereinafter provided at any time within
twelve months after the date on which he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director, but in no event later than August 13, 2007, and this Option shall
terminate upon the expiration of such period. This Option shall be exercisable
during such period with respect to all shares subject hereto."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the foregoing amendments to the August 1997 Options (the
"August 1997 Option Amendments") shall be subject to and effective upon approval
by the shareholders of the Corporation at the Corporation's 1998 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the
Common Stock of the Corporation present, or represented, and entitled to vote at
such meeting; and that if such approval is not obtained, the August 1997 Option
Amendments shall be void and without effect.
<PAGE>
 
3.   Amendments to February 18, 1997 Option
     --------------------------------------

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Corporation deems it desirable and
in the best interests of the Corporation and its shareholders that the option
which was granted to George S. Dotson on February 18, 1997, pursuant to the
terms and provisions of the Plan and is evidenced by a written Director Stock
Option executed on behalf of the Corporation and dated February 18, 1997 (the
"February 1997 Option"), be amended in certain respects;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the penultimate sentence of Section 1
of the February 1997 Option be, and the same hereby is, amended to read in its
entirety as follows:

          "Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Option shall become exercisable
with respect to all shares of Common Stock subject hereto immediately upon the
occurrence of a Change in Control and shall become exercisable with respect to
all such shares in certain events in accordance with the provisions of Section
2(b) hereof and of Section 7(b) of the Plan."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that Section 2 of the February 1997 Option be, and the same
hereby is, amended to read in its entirety as follows:

          "2.  TERM.  The term of this Option is ten years commencing on
February 18, 1997, and ending on February 17, 2007, subject to earlier
termination in accordance with Section 7(b) of the Plan or as follows:

           (a) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director prior to
attaining the age of 65 years for any reason other than his or her death or
disability (within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the
expiration of this Option, the Holder may exercise this Option to the extent
that it was exercisable at the time he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director at any time within three months after the date on which he or she so
ceased to be an Eligible Director, but in no event later than February 17,
<PAGE>
 
2007. This Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period unless the
Holder dies prior to such expiration, in which event he or she shall be deemed
to have died on the date he or she so ceased to be an Eligible Director, and
this Option shall be exercisable and terminate in accordance with the provisions
of paragraph (b) below.

           (b) If the Holder shall cease to be an Eligible Director after
attaining the age of 65 years or by reason of his or her death or disability
(within the meaning of Section 422(c)(6) of the Code), prior to the expiration
of this Option, the Holder (or his or her guardian or legal representative) may
exercise this Option to the extent hereinafter provided at any time within
twelve months after the date on which he or she so ceased to be an Eligible
Director, but in no event later than February 17, 2007, and this Option shall
terminate upon the expiration of such period. This Option shall be exercisable
during such period with respect to all shares subject hereto."

     and further

     RESOLVED, that the foregoing amendments to the February 1997 Option (the
"February 1997 Option Amendments") shall be subject to and effective upon
approval by the shareholders of the Corporation at the Corporation's 1998 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of
the Common Stock of the Corporation present, or represented, and entitled to
vote at such meeting; and that if such approval is not obtained, the February
1997 Option Amendments shall be void and without effect.

4.   Related Matters
     ---------------

     RESOLVED, that the officers of the Corporation be, and each of them hereby
is, authorized and directed to present the Plan Amendments, the August 1996
Option Amendments, the August 1997 Option Amendments, and the February 1997
Option Amendments for approval by the shareholders of the Corporation at the
1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation; and further

     RESOLVED, that the Chairman of the Board, the President and the Vice
President-Finance of the Corporation be, and
<PAGE>
 
each of such officers hereby is, authorized and directed, to execute and
deliver to each holder of an August 1996 Option, an August 1997 Option, and the
February 1997 Option, an Amendment to Director Stock Option incorporating the
respective amendments hereinabove approved in such form as the officer executing
the same shall approve, such approval to be conclusively evidenced by his
execution thereof; and further

     RESOLVED, that each of the officers of the Corporation be, and he hereby
is, authorized and directed to perform all acts and to execute and deliver all
certificates and documents and to take or cause to be taken all other action as
any such officer may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the foregoing
resolutions and to comply with the terms and provisions of the Plan, the August
1996 Options, the August 1997 Options, and the February 1997 Option, each as
amended.

<PAGE>
                                                                      EXHIBIT 11

            VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
            Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                     Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                       December 31 1997     December 31 1997
                                                                                     --------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                                                  <C>                 <C>     
A. CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS

  Net Income After Tax                                                                      $18,320,000          $49,875,000
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                        Total Number   Average Number      Stock Option        Shares Used
                                             Number of  Shares after        of Shares        Equivalent       To Calculate
                                                  Days     Weighing       Outstanding            Shares        Diluted EPS
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>               <C>            <C>                 <C>                <C>  
B. CALCULATION OF AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

  Common Stock Outstanding from time-to-time during:

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1997       92       5,896,840,904      64,096,097         1,630,513         65,726,610
    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997     365       8,668,146,320      63,649,776         1,559,923         65,209,699
</TABLE> 

C. CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

  Income Per Share =  Net Income After Tax
                      ---------------------------
                      Total Shares Outstanding


  Diluted Income Per Share =

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1997     18,320,000       =         $0.28
                                           ------------ 
                                             65,726,610

    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997    49,875,000       =         $0.76
                                           ------------
                                             65,209,699


  Basic Income Per Share

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1997     18,320,000       =         $0.29
                                           ------------
                                             64,096,097

    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1997    49,875,000       =         $0.78
                                           ------------
                                             63,649,776

<PAGE>
 
                                                               EXHIBIT 11--con't

            VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
            Statement Re Computation of Per Share Earnings

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                     Three Months Ended  Twelve Months Ended
                                                                                       December 31 1996     December 31 1996
                                                                                     --------------------------------------- 
<S>                                                                                  <C>                 <C>     
A. CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED EARNINGS

  Net Income After Tax                                                                       $8,668,000          $24,542,000
</TABLE> 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                        Total Number   Average Number      Stock Option        Shares Used
                                             Number of  Shares after        of Shares        Equivalent       To Calculate
                                                  Days     Weighing       Outstanding            Shares        Diluted EPS
                                     -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>               <C>            <C>                 <C>                <C>  
B. CALCULATION OF AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

  Common Stock Outstanding from time-to-time during:

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1996       92       5,896,840,924      64,096,097         1,493,046         65,589,143
    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1996     366      22,758,174,630      62,180,805         1,282,000         63,462,805
</TABLE> 

C. CALCULATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE

  Income Per Share =  Net Income After Tax
                      ---------------------------
                      Total Shares Outstanding


  Diluted Income Per Share =

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1996      8,668,000       =         $0.13
                                           ------------ 
                                             65,589,143

    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1996    24,542,000       =         $0.38
                                           ------------
                                             63,462,805


  Basic Income Per Share

    Three Months Ended December 31, 1996      8,668,000       =         $0.14
                                           ------------
                                             64,096,097

    Twelve Months Ended December 31, 1996    24,542,000       =         $0.39
                                           ------------
                                             62,180,805

<PAGE>
                                                                      
                                                                      EXHIBIT 12



                 VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                 STATEMENT RE COMPUTATIONS OF RATIOS
                 ($000'S)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                  1997      1996      1995    
                                              ------------------------------- 
<S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>        
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges                                            
- ----------------------------------                                            
   Earnings:                                                                  
     Pretax Income                               $76,696   $38,088   $21,908  
     Plus:                                                                    
       Interest Expense                            3,510     3,948     4,326  
       Amortization of Debt                                                   
           Issuance Costs                            154       177       190  
                                              ------------------------------- 
                                                                              
       Total                                     $80,360   $42,213   $26,424  
                                              =============================== 
                                                                              
                                                                              
   Fixed Charges:                                                             
       Interest Expense                           $3,510    $3,948    $4,326  
       Amortization of Debt                                                   
           Issuance Costs                            154       177       190  
                                              -------------------------------  

       Total                                      $3,664    $4,125    $4,516
                                              ===============================


   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges              21.93     10.23      5.85
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 13
 
VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.





1997 ANNUAL REPORT



VARCO
Varco International, Inc.
743 North Eckhoff Street
Orange, California 92868


<PAGE>
 
With a sharp increase in the number of offshore rigs under construction, the 
demand for Varco's products has exploded.  Varco International, Inc. is a 
leading manufacturer of products used in the oil and gas well drilling industry 
worldwide and a leading developer of new technologies to enhance the safety and 
productivity of the drilling process.  Varco's products include: integrated 
systems for rotating & handling pipe; pipe handling tools, hoisting & rotary 
equipment; drilling rig instrumentation; pressure control equipment; and solids 
control equipment & systems.

<PAGE>

                CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
(in thousands, except per share data and employees)

Years ended December 31,                                    1997       1996        1995        1994        1993
                                                                                                       
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                       
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Revenues                                                  $545,789   $368,422    $273,731    $223,601    $193,480
                                                                                                       
Net income                                                  49,875     24,542      14,439      12,161       7,096
                                                                                                       
Diluted income per share                                       .76        .38         .23         .18         .11
                                                                                                       
Net income as a percent of revenues                            9.1%       6.7%        5.3%        5.4%        3.7%
                                                                                                       
Shares used in computing                                                                               
 diluted income per share                                   65,201     63,463      63,145      67,134      66,877
                                                                                                       
Shareholders' equity                                       253,199    195,508     151,179     163,728     152,608
                                                                                                       
Return on average shareholders' equity                        22.7%      14.2%        9.2%        7.7%        4.8%
                                                                                                       
Capital expenditures                                        35,121     11,023      10,517       5,195       2,559
                                                                                                       
Number of employees                                          2,852      1,936       1,636       1,410       1,261
</TABLE> 

For unaudited selected quarterly financial data see Note 1 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial statements.


                                       1
<PAGE>

To Our Shareholders, Customers and Employees

By any measure 1997 was an outstanding year for Varco International. 

  Market conditions were more favorable than at any time in the past 15 years,
enhancing the results that we were already realizing from aggressively pursuing
our key strategies. Our position as the world's leading supplier of drilling
equipment has been solidified, and our financial results are approaching our
longer-term goals and expectations. We also made important progress in acquiring
the physical and human resources necessary to support our future growth.


Financial Results

1997 Revenues grew 48 percent, to $545.8 million from $368.4 million in the
prior year, and Net Income more than doubled, to $49.9 million, $.76 per share,
from $24.5 million, $.38 per share, in 1996. Over the five years from 1993 to
1997, Revenues have grown at a compound annual rate of 26 percent while Net
Income has increased at a 54 percent rate. The strength of the market in 1997 is
even more dramatically evidenced by incoming orders which totaled $820.9
million, 72 percent above the $478.5 million booked last year.

  Other more broadly based measures of financial performance likewise reflected
significant improvement. Pre-tax Cash Flow Return on Investment was 41.8 percent
for 1997 versus 27.2 percent in 1996, and Return on Equity reached 22.7 percent
as compared to 14.2 percent last year. For the first time in many years, we are
generating rates of return which are competitive and which are approaching those
we would expect during a period of significant growth.

                                       2
<PAGE>

In response to the increased demand we also took steps to expand our 
manufacturing capacity during 1997. We estimate that at the end of 1996 our
capacity was approximately $450-500 million in annualized revenue. Twelve months
later the equivalent figure is approaching $700 million. At December 31, 1997
our total employment was 2,852 as compared to 1,936 one year earlier. We intend
to further increase both human and physical resources during 1998 to meet the
requirements of our customers.

Strategies

In our 1990 report to shareholders, having endured the turmoil of the oilfield 
service industry depression of the 1980's, we first declared the goal of 
becoming the premier supplier of drilling equipment worldwide and articulated 
three key strategies we would employ to achieve that goal:

   . to continue developing new products which enhance the productivity and 
     safety of the drilling process:

   . to expand the number and dollar value of products which Varco can supply to
     a drilling rig:

   . to ensure that our products meet the continually increasing quality 
     expectations of our customers.

Creativity, perseverance and hard work on the part of each of our employees over
the ensuing years have resulted in the effective execution of those strategies. 
A healthier market is enabling us to more fully capitalize on those efforts with
stronger Revenue growth and dramatically improved financial results. Elsewhere 
in this report we

                                       3
<PAGE>

                         [PHOTO OF WALTER B. RINHOLD]

                         [PHOTO OF GEORGE BOYADJIEFF]
 
examine more specifically the measures of that goal achievement and the reasons
why those strategies remain key to our continued success.

Outlook

  We believe that the fundamental economic factors which influence the industry
remain closer to balance than they have been in more than a decade. Years of
curtailed investment have gradually reduced supply, while demand has continued
to grow. The recovery which the industry has experienced over the past 24 to 36
months is based on that movement toward balance, and we believe that it will
lead to a phase of growth and expansion. This expectation is tempered, however,
by the recognition that conditions in our industry rarely stay constant for long
and that the road is not always a smooth one. If one needs a reminder, it has
come in the form of an oil price decline beginning in the fourth quarter of
1997-an occurrence which few industry analysts anticipated. We believe this is a
relatively short-term phenomenon and that the fundamental factors behind the
market growth remain intact. However, we will continue to remain nimble in
adjusting to challenges along the way.
  We appreciate the support of our shareholders, customers, employees and 
friends.

/s/ WALTER B. REINHOLD                   /s/ GEORGE BOYADJIEFF

Walter B. Reinhold                       George Boyadjieff
Chairman                                 President and Chief Executive Officer

March 10, 1998

                                       4
<PAGE>

                             [CHARTS APPEAR HERE]



                                       5
<PAGE>

From the rig crown to the ocean floor, Varco is the leading supplier of drilling
products and systems for the deep water rigs under construction or retrofit. The
strong demand for what Varco provides derives from its persistent development
over recent years of advanced products & systems, anticipating the future.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                             [CHARTS APPEAR HERE]


                                       7
<PAGE>
 
OPERATIONS REVIEW
 
Industry Trends

The oil service industry recovery, which began approximately two and a half
years ago, continued to gain momentum during 1997. This upturn is the result of
economic conditions which are more favorable than they have been for several
years.

  Oil and natural gas prices are an important influence on the health of the
industry, and they provided a positive influence during 1997. Generally, they
were high enough to stimulate increased exploration and development spending by
oil companies and low enough to encourage higher worldwide energy consumption.
Oil prices averaged approximately $20.50 during 1997, down somewhat from the
average of $22.10 in 1996, but above the $18.40 for 1995. Average gas prices of
$2.50 per thousand cubic feet were essentially unchanged from those of 1996 and
significantly higher than the $1.45 average of 1995.

  In this environment, Salomon Smith Barney's Annual Survey and Analysis of
Worldwide Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Expenditures indicates that
major and independent oil companies increased spending by an estimated 19
percent in 1997, following increases of 15 percent for the prior year and nine
percent in 1995. The recent spending levels are the highest in several years,
which is significant because these expenditures translate directly into
potential revenue for oil service and equipment companies. Additionally, the
survey indicates that these oil companies are continuing to direct a greater
portion of their investment dollars to the offshore areas of the world.

  The increase in offshore drilling initially sparked the current industry
upturn, beginning in mid-1995. Utilization of the worldwide mobile offshore rig
fleet averaged 84 percent for 1995, at that time the highest annual rate since
1982. Over each of the past two years, the utilization rate has increased
further, to 90 and 94 percent in 1996 and 1997, respectively. Additionally, the
effective utilization of certain categories of offshore rigs, particularly those
capable of drilling in deep water and/or hostile environments, is 100 percent.
As a result, plans to increase the mobile offshore rig fleet by approximately 55
rigs, or nine percent, over the next three years have been announced. This
improvement in the offshore market is particularly influential because it
increases demand for more advanced technologies and services, 

                                       8
<PAGE>

which provide enhanced revenue and profit growth potential for oil service
companies.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

  A strengthening of the land drilling market, particularly in the United States
and Canada, has aided the recovery over the past 12 months. In particular, an
increase in gas drilling pushed the U.S. land rig count to its highest level in
seven years.

  In summary, 1997 was a very good year for the oil service industry -- the best
in more than a decade. Toward the end of the year and continuing into early
1998, however, certain economic and political events combined to exert downward
pressure on oil prices. Currency problems and the potential for slower economic
expansion in parts of Asia have raised questions about the rate of growth in
energy demand in the short term. An OPEC announcement of increased output
quotas, together with ongoing uncertainty about the return of Iraqi oil to world
markets, has compounded these concerns. As a result, oil prices have traded in
the $15-17 range in the early weeks of 1998.

  Despite these issues, the overall outlook for the industry remains positive.
The most recent Salomon Smith Barney Survey indicates that oil companies are
planning to increase exploration and production spending by 11 percent in 1998.
While this would be less than the actual increases of the past two years, except
for last years survey, it is higher than any budgeted increase in 10 years.

  The conditions which initiated the current business upturn generally remain in
place, as several years of gradual but steady increases in demand, together with
a reduction in supply created by downsizing and decreased investment, have
resulted in significantly improved economics throughout the industry.


Market Conditions

The increased exploration and production spending by oil companies has resulted
in a stronger market for oil service companies. With higher utilization and day
rates, drilling contractors are realizing their best financial results in 15
years. Oilfield service and equipment suppliers are likewise experiencing
increased demand, leading to significantly improved financial performance.

  The impact on Varco is threefold:

  .  Increased drilling activity has stimulated sales of spare and replacement
     parts and equipment;
  .  Stronger cash flows on the part of drilling contractors have increased
     investment in upgrading existing rigs;
  .  Demand for "premium" offshore rigs, particularly those capable of drilling
     in deep water, has stimulated the building of new rigs.

  The third element is the most significant. Following a dozen years in which
offshore rig construction was dormant, the scheduled delivery of 15-20 rigs per
year over the next three or so years represents a substantial growth
opportunity. Of the total drilling equipment "package" for a new offshore rig,
Varco has the potential to provide a larger portion than any other supplier.

                                       9
<PAGE>

In addition, such rigs are strong candidates to employ Varco's newer technology
products. Therefore, although this level of offshore rig additions is modest as
compared to both the overall fleet size and its growth during the decade of the
1970's, it is generating substantial increases in Varco's order bookings and
Revenue.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

Varco International
Varco operates through five independent but complementary Divisions, each
providing a portion of the equipment and systems which are integral to the
drilling process. When sold as replacement equipment or as a typical upgrade to
an existing rig, the products of each Division are usually purchased
independently. However, when equipping a new rig or providing a major retrofit
of an existing offshore rig, Varco products and systems are frequently sold as a
"package" which may involve some level of physical and electronic integration.
  Although Varco products are used both offshore and onshore, the cost and
complexity of offshore drilling requires a substantially greater investment in
drilling equipment. Additionally, drilling in extremely deep water from a
floating rig, such as a semi-submersible or drillship, requires significantly
more equipment than a jackup rig or fixed platform. For example, the value of
the equipment which Varco could potentially supply to a deep water rig is
approximately $50 million, as compared to approximately $19 million for a harsh
environment jackup or platform rig. By comparison, a typical new land rig would
create a potential of approximately $3 million of revenue for Varco.
  While Varco's five Divisions are all influenced primarily by general industry
and market conditions, each is also uniquely affected by factors specific to its
primary markets and products.

Varco Drilling Systems designs and manufactures systems and equipment for
rotating and handling the various types and sizes of pipe used on a drilling
rig. Its products are designed to make the drilling process more productive and
safer. At the time of their introduction, Varco Drilling Systems' products have
typically represented innovative new methods for performing critical drilling
functions.
  The principal products of the Drilling Systems Division are the Top Drive
Drilling System ("TDS") and pipe handling systems. Introduced in 1982, the TDS
is recognized as a more productive means of drilling an oil or gas well than the
traditional rotary table. Although its initial application was primarily
offshore and high-cost land drilling where the initial investment could be more
quickly returned, more recently the TDS concept has gained acceptance in
conventional land drilling.
  Currently, Varco's sales of the TDS are primarily influenced by the
construction of new offshore rigs, retrofitting of land rigs and existing
offshore rigs, and replacement of previously sold units with newer, upgraded
models. To a lesser extent, revenue is derived from the rental of TDS units,

                                      10
<PAGE>

particularly in the North American land drilling market.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

  Pipe handling systems are automated or semi-automated devices which provide
both vertical and horizontal pipe handling. Vertical pipe racking systems are
used to move sections of pipe between the storage ("racking") area on the rig
floor and the well center, and to provide the spinning and torquing functions
necessary to couple and uncouple sections of pipe. Horizontal pipe racking
systems are used to handle various sizes and types of pipe while stored on the
pipe deck of an offshore rig, transport pipe sections up to the rig floor, and
raise them to a vertical position from which they are passed to a vertical
racking system.
  Automated pipe handling systems were introduced by Varco in 1987 and most
units sold to date have been for new offshore rigs. Although new rig
construction remains the predominant market, interest in retrofitting existing
rigs has increased recently.
  Revenues of the Drilling Systems Division were $165.5 million in 1997, up 41
percent from $117.7 million in 1996.  Order bookings more than doubled year-
over-year, totaling $287.4 million for 1997 versus $137.7 million in the prior
twelve months.  This substantial increase in orders is primarily attributable
to automated pipe handling systems and related equipment for new offshore
rigs.
  Varco BJ Oil Tools manufactures a complete line of conventional drilling rig
tools and equipment. It has evolved from the combination of original Varco
products with several complementary and competitive product lines acquired over
the past 10 years. Examples of Varco BJ Oil Tools' products include: elevators,
devices which hold pipe while it is being lifted from, or lowered into, the bore
hole; slips, which grip pipe and hold it in suspension while in the well; the
spinning wrench, a pneumatic or hydraulic powered device used to screw together
and unscrew threaded pipe connections; manual tongs, used to make up or break
out connections; and casing elevators and spiders, gripping devices used to hold
heavy sections of casing while being lowered into the well. Many of these
products were original Varco innovations at the time of their introduction, and
Varco BJ is regarded as the industry leader in providing quality and reliable
oil tool products.
  As the Varco product line has moved toward automation and the elimination of
personnel from the rig floor, Varco BJ Oil Tools' products have evolved to
facilitate this result by providing mechanization and remote activation to tools
previously operated manually. While products with these capabilities would be
considered mandatory when used in conjunction with a fully automated pipe
handling system, they also provide sufficient safety and efficiency benefits
that they are also sold independently for upgrading existing rigs.
  Revenues of the Varco BJ Oil Tools Division
 
                                      11
<PAGE>

totaled $68.9 million for 1997, 28 percent above the $53.8 million of a year
ago. Incoming orders were $99.4 million for the past twelve months, 77 percent
higher than the $56.3 million booked last year. The year-to-year increase in
Revenues and orders is attributable to increased worldwide drilling activity;
improved financial results on the part of drilling contractors, encouraging the
replacement and upgrading of older equipment; and the increase in offshore rig
construction. The latter factor has had a greater impact on order bookings than
Revenues, as these orders tend to be placed well in advance of their required
delivery dates.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

Martin-Decker/TOTCO ("OM/D TOTCO") designs and sells computer-based drilling
information and control systems, as well as conventional drilling rig
instrumentation. Instrumentation systems, at a minimum, consist of sensors which
monitor and measure various data relevant to drilling operations and an output
or display device. Their basic purpose is to provide the driller and other rig
personnel with the information necessary to operate the drilling rig. In recent
years, the drilling industry has moved from basic instrumentation, such as
hydraulic sensors and analog gauges, toward computer-based information and
control systems designed to make the drilling process safer and more efficient.
  Leading that transition, M/D TOTCO introduced the TOTAL system in 1991. It
consists of sensors, a Data Acquisition Unit ("DAQ") or computer processor,
graphical output devices, and data storage and transmission capability. In its
basic form, TOTAL collects data and presents it to the driller in an
individually configurable graphic or digital format, while also storing it for
subsequent analysis. More advanced capabilities include software applications
that analyze and interpret the data to assist rig personnel in optimizing
drilling operations and anticipating and avoiding potential problems.
  In 1997 M/D TOTCO introduced a product called SWIFT ("Secure Wellsite
Information Forwarding Technology") which provides for the transmission of
drilling information collected at the rig site to a remote location over the
Internet, thus creating a closer linkage between the drilling operation and
those responsible for its management.
  In 1997 M/D TOTCO also introduced the Varco Integrated Control and Information
System ("V-ICIS"), a computer-based system which combines the physical control
of all of Varcos automated equipment, and potentially that of third parties,
into a common, user-friendly system which also incorporates the analytical
capabilities of the TOTAL system. The initial system will be delivered in early
1998.
  Like Varco's other Divisions, M/D TOTCO's revenues are influenced by the
overall level of drilling activity, rig upgrade and refurbishment, and new rig
construction. In general, the nature of its products have caused the first two
of these elements to have a relatively greater impact on M/D TOTCO than on Varco
as a whole. Its Revenues 

                                      12
<PAGE>

were $90.6 million in 1997, an increase of 46 percent from $62.2 million a year
ago; and order bookings of $100.6 million were 57 percent above the $64.0
million recorded in 1996.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

  Shaffer manufactures and sells pressure control and motion compensation
equipment. Pressure control equipment includes Blowout Preventers ("BOP's") and
the control systems that enable their remote activation; and riser, large
diameter pipe used to connect a floating offshore rig (semi-submersible or
drillship) to the ocean floor. Motion compensation equipment is used on floating
rigs to offset the effect of wind and wave action on the drilling process.
  Shaffer has experienced dramatic growth over the past three years as a result
of the increase in deepwater drilling (in excess of 3,000 feet) and the demand
for rigs having such capability. Early in that period Shaffer benefited from rig
owners upgrading the water depth capacity of existing rigs, and more recently
from the building of new deepwater rigs. The impact on Shaffer of either is
substantial, as a new deepwater rig requires equipment of the type supplied by
Shaffer valued in excess of $30 million, and a major upgrade offers a potential
of approximately half that figure. In the 10 or so years preceding 1995 there
was almost no new investment in rigs of this type; consequently the recent
increase in demand has caused Shaffer's orders and revenues to increase
dramatically.
  Revenues were $206.5 million in 1997, versus $123.8 million in the prior year.
The increase in orders was even more dramatic, as 1997 order bookings totaled
$311.1 million, versus $211.5 million last year. This increase in Revenues and
orders is directly attributable to the explosive growth of deepwater drilling
and the resultant upgrading and construction of rigs capable of such drilling.

Thule Rigtech designs and sells solids control equipment and fluid handling
systems. During drilling operations drilling fluid ("mud") is circulated through
the well bore to contain formation pressure, lubricate the drill bit, and return
cuttings to the surface. Rigtech's revenues result primarily from the sale of
solids removal equipment, primarily shale shakers, which remove cuttings
("solids") from the drilling fluid so that it may be re-circulated, and from the
sale of spare and expendable parts for such equipment.
  Rigtech has also developed equipment and systems which automate the process of
handling drilling fluids on a drilling rig ("Automated Mud System" or "AMS").
Included are devices which monitor and control the mixing of drilling fluids,
the dispensing of chemical additives, and the movement of fluids between mixing
hoppers, the mud pits (from which it is pumped into the bore hole), and back
through the cleaning process. During 1997 Thule Rigtech booked orders for three
automated systems, the first since the prototype was introduced in 1993.
  Rigtech's  Revenues were $13.4 million in 1997 versus $9.4 million in 1996,
and order bookings totaled $22.5 million as compared to $9.0 million last
 
                                      13
<PAGE>

year. Of the increase in order bookings, approximately $5.3 million is
attributable to the three AMS orders.
     Thule Rigtech is based in Aberdeen, Scotland and was a privately held
company prior to its acquisition by Varco in 1994. Although it enjoys a very
substantial share of the North Sea market, Rigtech has a relatively small share
of the overall worldwide solids control market. Through a combination of product
development and geographic expansion it is Varco's goal to expand considerably
that market position.


Financial Review

     1997 Revenue of $545.8 million represents an increase of 48 percent from
$368.4 million in 1996; this follows the 35 percent growth experienced in 1996
over 1995. Incoming orders grew even more rapidly. Order bookings of $820.9
million for 1997 were 72 percent higher than the 1996 total of $478.5 million,
which was 62 percent above $294.9 million for 1995. As indicated below, the
recent order level exceeds our current manufacturing capacity.
     Operating Income (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) as a percentage of
Revenue increased to 14.6 percent in 1997, from 11.1 percent and 9.2 percent in
1996 and 1995, respectively. For 1997 this represents 22c of additional
Operating Income for each $1.00 of Revenue above the 1996 levels, a result that
falls within our range of expectations. Net Income for 1997 was $49.9 million,
$.76 diluted per share, and represented 9.1 percent of Revenues; for 1996 the
comparable figures were $24.5 million, $.38 diluted per share, and 6.7 percent.

                             [CHART APPEARS HERE]

     The average net investment (Shareholders' Equity plus Debt less Cash) was
$232 million for 1997, representing $2.36 of Revenue per $1.00 of investment;
the comparable figures for 1996 were $203 million and $1.82. The fact that
Revenues increased significantly year-to-year with a relatively lower increase
in investment is primarily attributable to customer deposits which totaled $79.1
million at December 31, 1997. These deposits more than funded the increase in
working capital associated with the higher Revenue level. The combination of
improved profitability and low incremental investment increased cash flow
(Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization) return on
average net investment to 42.5 percent in 1997, from 27.1 percent in 1996.
     During 1997 we invested approximately $25 million in capacity expansion,
primarily in additional machine tools. The result was to increase our
manufacturing capacity from an estimated $450-500 million of annualized Revenue
at the end of 1996 to approximately $675-700 million at year-end 1997. It is our
intention to further increase manufacturing capacity to an annualized rate of
approximately $800-850 million by the end of 1998.

                                      14
<PAGE>

                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                      16

                 Five-Year Financial and Operating Highlights


                                      17

                Management Report of Financial Responsibilities


                                      18

        Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

                             Results of Operations


                                      23

                          Consolidated Balance Sheets


                                      24

                       Consolidated Statements of Income


                                      25

                Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity


                                      26

                     Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


                                      27

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                      37

                        Report of Independent Auditors


                                      38

                               Stock Information
 

                                      15
<PAGE>

                 FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL AND OPERATING HIGHLIGHTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands, except per share data and employees)

Years ended December 31,                                          1997       1996       1995     1994/(1)/  1993/(1)/
                                                       
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Summary of Operations                                  
Revenues                                                        $545,789   $368,422   $273,731   $223,601   $193,480
Gross profit                                                     196,969    125,816     99,214     86,761     72,010
Research and development                                          21,084     14,331     13,156     11,438      9,479
Selling, general and administrative expenses                      96,398     70,891     61,014     53,798     48,423
Interest expense                                                   3,683      3,948      4,516      4,766      5,010
Income before income taxes                                        76,696     38,088     21,908     18,917     10,811
Income taxes                                                      26,821     13,546      7,469      6,756      3,715
Net income                                                        49,875     24,542     14,439     12,161      7,096
As a percent of revenues                                             9.1%       6.7%       5.3%       5.4%       3.7%
Return on average shareholders' equity                              22.7%      14.2%       9.2%       7.7%       4.8%
==================================================================================================================== 
                                                       
Per share of common stock /(2)/                        
Basic income per share                                               .78        .39        .23        .18        .11
Diluted income per share                                             .76        .38        .23        .18        .11
Book value per share                                                3.95       3.09       2.51       2.46       2.29
                                                       
Year-end financial position                            
Working capital                                                  136,151    120,246     89,187    112,342    113,241
Current ratio                                                        1.7        2.4        2.5        3.4        3.9
Property and equipment - net                                      92,075     62,312     50,622     47,659     47,241
Total assets                                                     471,129    316,021    246,571    257,641    248,021
Long-term debt                                                     9,520     22,715     29,539     39,349     49,164
Shareholders' equity                                             253,199    195,508    151,179    163,728    152,608
Long-term debt as percent of                           
 total capitalization                                                3.6%      10.4%      16.3%      19.4%      24.4%
==================================================================================================================== 
                                                       
Other                                                  
Capital expenditures                                              35,121     11,023     10,517      5,195      2,559
Depreciation and amortization                                     16,971     13,249     12,347     10,996     10,687
Number of employees                                                2,852      1,936      1,636      1,410      1,261
Shares used in computing                               
  basic income per share /(2)/                                    63,650     62,181     62,610     66,750     66,374
Shares used in computing                               
  diluted income per share /(2)/                                  65,210     63,463     63,145     67,134     66,877
==================================================================================================================== 
</TABLE> 

(1) Includes the acquisitions of Metrox as of August 17, 1993 and Rig Technology
Limited as of November 30, 1994.

(2) The income per share amounts prior to 1997 have been restated, as required,
to comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, Earnings per
Share, and the number of shares used in those calculations have been adjusted to
give effect to the Company's 1997 two-for-one stock split.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      16
<PAGE>

                MANAGEMENT REPORT OF FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES


The management of Varco International, Inc. is responsible for the preparation
and integrity of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and other
financial information contained in this Annual Report. The consolidated
financial statements have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles and include amounts that are based on management's
informed judgments and estimates.
     In fulfilling its responsibilities for the integrity of financial
information, management maintains and relies on the Company's system of internal
control. This system includes a program of financial and operational reviews by
a professional corporate staff and the independent auditors. The system is
designed to provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded,
transactions are executed in accordance with management's authorization and
accounting records are reliable as a basis for the preparation of the
consolidated financial statements. Management believes that, as of December 31,
1997, the Company's internal control system provides reasonable assurance that
material errors or irregularities will be prevented or detected within a timely
period and is cost effective.
     The Board of Directors, through its Audit Committee composed solely of non-
employee directors, reviews the Company's financial reporting and accounting
practices.  The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the
selection of independent auditors and reviews their fee arrangements.  It meets
periodically with the independent auditors and management to review the work of
each and the propriety of the discharge of their responsibilities.  The
independent auditors have full and free access to the Audit Committee, without
management present, to discuss auditing and financial reporting matters.

/s/ George Boyadjieff                     /s/ Richard A. Kertson

George Boyadjieff                         Richard A. Kertson
President & Chief Executive Officer       Vice President - Finance & Chief
                                          Financial Officer

February 12, 1998


            CAUTIONARY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO THE PRIVATE SECURITIES

                         LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

In accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company notes that the statements in this
Annual Report, which are forward-looking and which provide other than historical
information, involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company's
results of operations.  These forward-looking statements include, among others,
statements concerning the Company's general business strategies, customer
orders, backlog, operating trends, industry trends, manufacturing capacity, and
expectations for funding capital expenditures and operations in future periods.
The Company also continues to face many risks and uncertainties including:
changes in the prices of oil and natural gas, changes in capital spending by
companies in the oil and gas industry for exploration, development and
equipment, management of accelerating growth, competitive pressures,
technological and structural changes in the industry, litigation and
environmental laws.  The risks and uncertainties inherent in these forward-
looking statements could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed in or implied by these statements.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>

       MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 

                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Background
The business of the Company depends primarily upon the level of worldwide
drilling activity, particularly offshore drilling activity. The level of
drilling activity can be influenced by numerous factors, including economic and
political conditions, the prices of oil and gas, finding and development costs
of oil companies, development of alternative energy sources, availability of
equipment and materials, availability of new onshore and offshore acreage or
concessions, and new and continued governmental regulations regarding
environmental protection, taxation, price controls and product allocations.
     The price of oil has averaged approximately $20.50, $22.10 and $18.40 a
barrel for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. The price of natural gas has
averaged approximately $2.50, $2.50 and $1.45 per thousand cubic feet for 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. The improved commodity prices have resulted in
improved profits and cash flows for oil companies. Due in part to these stronger
financial results, oil companies have increased exploration and production
expenditures, leading to increased drilling activity. Towards the end of 1997
the price of oil began to decline and for the first two months of 1998 has
ranged between $15 and $18 per barrel. If the price of oil remains at this
level, it could negatively impact the level of worldwide drilling activity.
     Rig counts, as reported by industry sources, for each of the past three
years are summarized in the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1997    1996    1995

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                   <C>     <C>     <C> 
     Approximate Average Annual Rig Count:            
     WORLDWIDE AVERAGE RIG COUNT                      2,126   1,836   1,712
      UNITED STATES & CANADA AVERAGE RIG COUNT        1,317   1,043     953
      INTERNATIONAL AVERAGE RIG COUNT                   809     793     759
     APPROXIMATE AVERAGE NUMBER OF OFFSHORE RIGS      
      UNDER CONTRACT                                    606     550     542
</TABLE>

Overall drilling activity, as reflected by the average number of rigs drilling
worldwide, grew by approximately 16% in 1997, reaching its highest level in six
years. Significant in its impact on the Company is the increased worldwide
utilization of offshore rigs (rigs under contract as a percent of available
rigs), which was driven both by increased demand and by a continually shrinking
supply of available offshore rigs. Utilization rates were 94%, 90%, and 84% for
the years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Each of these utilization rates is
at a higher level than any year since 1982. The higher utilization has been
accompanied by increasing day rates and longer contract periods, particularly
among the "premium" offshore rigs. This has resulted in increased cash flow for
the Company's major customers, the drilling contractors, and in the announcement
of plans to increase the mobile offshore rig fleet by approximately 55 rigs over
the next three years.

                                      18
<PAGE>

Results of Operations
The Company operates principally in the oil and gas well drilling equipment
segment of the oilfield service industry. Set forth below are the annual net
orders for the Company's five Divisions which serve this segment.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     (in thousands)                  1997       1996       1995

     ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>
     Net Orders
     VARCO DRILLING SYSTEMS      $287,435   $137,722   $ 95,519
     VARCO BJ OIL TOOLS            99,379     56,308     42,252
     MARTIN-DECKER/TOTCO          100,602     63,950     57,967   
     SHAFFER                      311,052    211,539     88,961   
     THULE RIGTECH                 22,452      8,969     10,242
     ----------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL                      $820,920   $478,488   $294,941
     ==========================================================
</TABLE>

Order bookings increased $342.4 million, 72%, in 1997 as compared to 1996 and
increased $183.5 million, 62%, in 1996 as compared to 1995. These increases are
primarily due to orders associated with the upgrading and construction of
offshore drilling rigs, particularly floating rigs that are capable of drilling
in water depths exceeding 3,000 feet. Each such rig creates significant
potential for the high dollar value products provided by the Shaffer and
Drilling Systems Divisions. During 1997 and 1996 Shaffer secured several orders
to provide pressure control, motion compensation and related equipment, and
Drilling Systems obtained several orders to provide vertical and horizontal pipe
handling systems and Top Drive Drilling Systems ("TDS's") to these rigs. The
increase in order bookings for the Varco BJ Oil Tools and Martin-Decker/TOTCO
Divisions also resulted, in part, from the offshore rig upgrades and new
construction. Thule Rigtech's 1997 increase is primarily due to increased sales
of "Automated Mud Systems" to such rigs.

     In addition to the construction and upgrading of offshore drilling rigs,
Varco benefited from increased sales of spare and replacement parts and service
related to the increase in worldwide drilling activity. The Company estimates
that approximately 20% to 25% of its order growth in each of the years 1997 and
1996 is attributable to such increase.
Set forth below are the annual revenues for the Company's five Divisions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     (in thousands)                  1997       1996       1995

     ----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>
     Revenues
     VARCO DRILLING SYSTEMS      $165,510   $117,658   $101,440   
     VARCO BJ OIL TOOLS            68,931     53,830     41,663
     MARTIN-DECKER/TOTCO           90,601     62,227     58,013
     SHAFFER                      206,483    123,846     60,925
     THULE RIGTECH                 13,372      9,419     10,310
     ----------------------------------------------------------
      TOTAL                      $544,897   $366,980   $272,351
     ==========================================================
</TABLE>

                                      19
<PAGE>

     The Company's revenues increased by $177.9 million, 48% in 1997 as compared
to 1996, with the Shaffer and Drilling Systems Divisions accounting for $130.5
million of this increase. Approximately 70% of the increase of each of these
Divisions is due to the delivery of equipment for offshore rig upgrades and
construction and the remainder is due to the overall drilling activity increase.
Martin-Decker/TOTCO's and Varco BJ Oil Tools', revenues increased $28.4 and
$15.1 million, respectively. Approximately 55% of these increases are related to
the overall drilling activity increase with the balance due to upgrades and rig
construction.
     The Company's revenues increased by 35% in 1996 to $367.0 million, from
1995 revenues of $272.4 million. The Shaffer Division's revenues demonstrated
the largest increase, to $123.8 million from $60.9 million in 1995.
Approximately 70% of this increase was due to the offshore rig upgrades, and the
balance was due to the overall increase in drilling activity. Drilling Systems'
revenue increase reflected the general increase in offshore drilling activity,
together with increased sales of the land Top Drive System ("TDS-9S") introduced
in 1995. The increase in revenues for Varco BJ Oil Tools was primarily the
result of the higher level of overall drilling activity.
     The Company's backlog of unshipped orders was $462.9 million at December
31, 1997 as compared to $186.9 million at December 31, 1996 and $75.4 million at
December 31, 1995. Orders for new rigs and major upgrades generally include the
Company's longer lead-time products. Therefore, the average lead-time of the
products included in the December 31, 1997 backlog is longer than in prior
years. The Company expects that approximately 90% of the backlog will be shipped
by December 31, 1998. At December 31, 1997 the Company had received $67.7
million in customer cash deposits related to orders included in backlog. In
addition to, and not included in the December 31, 1997 backlog, the Company has
received non-binding letters of intent for 1999 deliveries totaling $107.5
million against which the Company has received cash deposits of $11.4 million.
In accordance with industry practice, orders and commitments generally are
cancelable by customers at any time.
     Gross margins (net sales and rental income less costs of sales and rental
income) as a percentage of net sales and rental income for the Company were
36.2% for 1997, 34.3% for 1996 and 36.4% for 1995. The higher 1997 margins were
a result of improved margins at Drilling Systems, Varco BJ Oil Tools and Martin-
Decker/TOTCO. These improvements favorably impacted consolidated margins by 3.2%
as their combined margins improved from 38.9% in 1996 to 43.9% in 1997. Price
increases accounted for approximately two-thirds of this improvement with the
remainder attributable to the favorable Dutch Guilder exchange rate lowering
dollar cost at Varco BJ Oil Tools' Netherlands manufacturing facility and to
cost reductions. This improvement was partially offset by the larger percentage
increase in Shaffer's revenue and by lower margins at the Shaffer Division.
Shaffer's products carry lower gross margins (due principally to price
competition) than the combined gross margins of the other Divisions. In
addition, Shaffer's 1997 margins were negatively impacted by high initial costs
on some of its newer products. The margin decline in 1996 as compared to 1995
was primarily the result of the large increase in Shaffer's revenue. The
combined gross margin for the other Divisions was 38.9% for both 1996 and 1995.
     The Company believes that new product development is significant to its
future growth. Research and development expenses were $21.1 million, $14.3
million and $13.2 million for the years 1997, 1996 and 1995 respectively, and
represented 3.9%, 3.9% and 4.8% of revenue, respectively, for those years. The
Company expects 

                                      20
<PAGE>
 
that research and development expenses will continue at approximately 4.0% to
4.5% of revenue in 1998.
     Selling, general and administrative expenses were $96.4 million in 1997
(17.7% of revenues) as compared to $70.9 million in 1996 (19.3% of revenues) and
$61.0 million (22.4% of revenues) in 1995. The increase in 1997 as compared to
1996 resulted primarily from increases in employment related costs. The increase
in 1996 as compared to 1995 was mostly due to selling and marketing expenses
associated with increased revenue levels.
     At December 31, 1997 overall Company employment was 2,852 (including 415
temporary employees) as compared to 1,936 (including 220 temporary employees) at
December 31, 1996.
     The Company's effective income tax rate was 35.0% in 1997 as compared to
35.6% in 1996 and 34.1% in 1995. The lower effective income tax rates in 1997
and 1995 as compared to 1996 resulted from lower foreign taxes.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 1997 the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $39.8 million
as compared to $5.8 million at December 31, 1996. This increase was due to an
increase in customer cash deposits on future shipments from $2.7 million at
December 31, 1996 to $79.1 million at December 31, 1997.
     In July 1992 the Company sold $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of
its 8.95% Senior Notes Due June 30, 1999 (the "Senior Notes") to a group of ten
institutional investors pursuant to a Note Agreement dated as of July 1, 1992
(the "Note Agreement"). The remaining $20.0 million principal balance of the
Senior Notes is payable in two equal installments on June 30, 1998 and June 30,
1999.
     On June 27, 1997 the Company entered into a seven-year unsecured revolving
credit agreement with three banks (the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement
provides for a credit facility of $65.0 million, inclusive of a $20.0 million
letter of credit sub-facility. The maximum available under the Credit Agreement
is reduced in equal quarterly amounts over the last four years of the Credit
Agreement. Proceeds from the initial advances were used repay borrowings under a
previous credit agreement with Citicorp USA, Inc. and Citibank, N.A and for the
June 30, 1997 principal and interest payment on the Senior Notes. At December
31, 1997 there were no advances and $18.1 million in letters of credit
outstanding under this facility.
     Both the Note Agreement and the Credit Agreement restrict the payment of
dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of Common Stock) on,
and repurchases of, Common Stock. Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, which
is generally the more restrictive of these, the amount available for the payment
of dividends on, and repurchases of, Common Stock is limited to $5.0 million
plus 25% of the Company's consolidated net income arising after June 30, 1997,
computed on a cumulative basis.
     On November 6, 1997 the Board of Directors of the Company declared a two-
for-one stock split of its Common Stock, payable in the form of a 100% stock
dividend on December 4, 1997 to shareholders of record at the close of business
on November 20, 1997.
     Working capital was $136.2 million at December 31, 1997 compared to $120.2
million at December 31, 1996. The Company's current ratio has decreased from 2.4
to 1.0 at December 31, 1996 to 1.7 to 1.0 at December 31, 1997 and long-term
debt as a percentage of total capitalization decreased to 4% at December 31,
1997 from
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
10% at December 31, 1996. The increase in working capital is due to the higher
level of receivables and inventory to support the Company's higher revenue
levels. The lower current ratio is primarily due to the impact of including the
$79.1 million of customer deposits in current liabilities. Most of these funds
will be used to fund future working capital needs. The lower debt to total
capitalization ratio is primarily due to the June 30 principal payment on the
Senior Notes.
     Additions to the Company's equipment held for rental amounted to $11.5
million in 1997 and are primarily due to an increase in Martin-Decker/TOTCO's
rental fleet and the addition of TDS-9S units to Varco Drilling Systems' rental
fleet.
     Capital expenditures were $35.1 million in 1997 as compared to $11.0
million in 1996. The 1997 increase in capital expenditures was primarily due to
the purchase of additional machine tools to increase manufacturing capacity. The
Company expects to increase its capital expenditures in 1998 to approximately
$40 million, primarily for machinery and equipment to increase manufacturing
capacity. The Company believes that its December 31, 1997 cash and cash
equivalents, amounts available under its credit facility and income from
operations will be sufficient to meet its capital expenditures and operating
cash needs and the principal payment on the Senior Notes in 1998.

Year 2000 compliance
The Company is reviewing its computer programs and systems worldwide and has
developed a task force to ensure that the programs and systems will function
properly and be Year 2000 compliant.  In this process, the Company expects to
replace some existing systems and upgrade others. The Company presently believes
that, with modifications to existing software and converting to new software,
the Year 2000 problem will not pose significant operational problems for the
Company's computer systems. The estimated cost of these efforts are not expected
to be material to the Company's financial position or any year's results of
operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 ("SFAS 130")  "Reporting Comprehensive
Income" effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.  This
statement establishes standards for the reporting and displaying of
comprehensive income and its components.  The effect of adopting SFAS No. 130
will be the inclusion of foreign currency translation gains and losses as a
component of comprehensive income.
     In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ("SFAS 131") "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information" which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997.  This statement establishes standards for the
way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments
in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report
selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports.  It
also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers. The Company will adopt the new
requirements retroactively in 1998. Management has not completed its review of
SFAS 131.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
(in thousands)

December 31,                                                                       1997      1996

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>        <C>
ASSETS

Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents                                                        $ 39,827   $  5,794
Receivables - principally trade, less allowances for                                                
  doubtful accounts of $2,121 (1997) and $1,756 (1996)                            142,324     95,160
Inventories - Note B                                                              131,971     91,873
Deferred tax assets - Note D                                                       12,723      9,678
Prepaid expenses                                                                    4,673      4,157
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Current Assets                                                          331,518    206,662
Property, plant and equipment - at cost,                                                            
  less accumulated depreciation - Note C                                           73,862     48,711
Rental equipment - at cost less accumulated depreciation                           18,213     13,601
Cost in excess of net assets acquired, less accumulated                                             
  amortization of $7,415 (1997) and $6,493 (1996)                                  34,609     35,879
Other assets                                                                       12,927     11,168
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Assets                                                                 $471,129   $316,021
====================================================================================================
                                                                                                    
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                
                                                                                                    
Current Liabilities                                                                                 
Accounts payable - principally trade                                             $ 53,394   $ 37,815
Customer deposits                                                                  79,068      2,696
Accrued payroll and related costs                                                  22,367     13,397
Accrued warranty                                                                    5,490      4,067
Taxes payable                                                                       8,874      5,853
Other accrued liabilities                                                          16,174     12,588
Current portion of long-term debt - Note E                                         10,000     10,000
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Current Liabilities                                                     195,367     86,416
Long-term debt, less current portion - Note E                                       9,520     22,715
Postretirement obligations - Note H                                                 6,561      6,087
Other non-current liabilities                                                       6,482      5,295
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Liabilities                                                             217,930    120,513 

Shareholders' equity - Note F
Preferred Stock: 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding
Common Stock: 80,000,000 shares authorized, 64,171,744 (1997) and
  63,199,232 (1996) issued and outstanding, stated value                           54,540     53,568
Additional paid-in capital                                                         96,682     89,965
Retained earnings                                                                 101,977     51,975
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total Shareholders' Equity                                                    253,199    195,508
Commitments and contingencies - Note G                                                             
  Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity                                     $471,129   $316,021
====================================================================================================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
(in thousands, except per share data)

Year Ended December 31,                                       1997       1996       1995

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                       <C>        <C>        <C>
Revenues
Net sales                                                 $500,067   $336,120   $247,114
Rental income                                               44,830     30,860     25,237
Other income                                                   892      1,442      1,380
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           545,789    368,422    273,731
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales                                              334,729    231,792    165,835
Cost of rental income                                       13,199      9,372      7,302
Selling, general and administrative expenses                96,398     70,891     61,014
Research and development costs                              21,084     14,331     13,156
Interest expense                                             3,683      3,948      4,516
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           469,093    330,334    251,823
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income before income taxes                                  76,696     38,088     21,908
Income taxes - Note D                                       26,821     13,546      7,469
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income                                                $ 49,875   $ 24,542   $ 14,439
========================================================================================
 
Basic income per share                                    $    .78   $    .39   $    .23
========================================================================================
Shares used in basic income per share calculations          63,650     62,181     62,610
========================================================================================
Diluted income per Share                                  $    .76   $    .38   $    .23
========================================================================================
Shares used in diluted income per share calculations        65,201     63,463     63,145
</TABLE> 

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)                                                      Common Stock
                                                               Issued and Outstanding   Additional
                                                               ----------------------     Paid-in   Retained
Year Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995                     Shares        Amount      Capital   Earnings     Total

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>
Balances at December 31, 1994                                    66,671       $57,039    $ 68,858   $ 37,831    $163,728
Net income                                                                                            14,439      14,439
Common Stock issuances                                              680           680       1,489                  2,169
Common Stock repurchased                                           (727)         (727)        364     (3,020)     (3,383)
Self tender                                                      (6,301)       (6,301)      3,150    (23,025)    (26,176)
Unrealized gains on investments                                                                          462         462
Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                  (60)        (60)

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1995                                    60,323        50,691      73,861     26,627     151,179
Net income                                                                                            24,542      24,542
Common Stock issuances                                            2,876         2,876      16,105                 18,981
Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                  806         806

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1996                                    63,199        53,567      89,966     51,975     195,508
Net income                                                                                            49,875      49,875
Common Stock issuances                                              973           973       6,716                  7,689
Foreign currency translation adjustment                                                                  127         127
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at December 31, 1997                                    64,172       $54,540    $ 96,682   $101,977    $253,199
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(in thousands)

Year Ended December 31,                                               1997        1996        1995


<S>                                                               <C>         <C>         <C>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Operating Activities
Net income                                                        $ 49,875    $ 24,542    $ 14,439
Items included in net income not requiring (providing) cash:
   Depreciation                                                     14,760      10,928       9,557
   Amortization                                                      2,211       2,321       2,790
   Deferred income taxes                                            (3,371)     (2,772)     (1,802)
   Post-retirement obligations                                         474         840         868
   Other                                                             1,696         365         473
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
   Receivables                                                     (47,164)    (34,477)     (8,433)
   Inventories                                                     (40,098)    (22,667)    (10,533)
   Additions to rental equipment                                   (11,494)    (10,204)     (2,739)
   Prepaids                                                           (516)       (624)       (998)
   Accounts payable                                                 15,579      16,459       6,011
   Customer deposits                                                76,372       1,842         111
   Accrued payroll                                                   8,970       4,453         375                  
   Taxes payable                                                     3,021       3,968         733  
   Accrued liabilities                                               5,009       1,941       4,088  
   Other                                                             1,986       1,967         516
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Net Cash from (used in) Operating Activities                  77,310      (1,118)     15,456 
 
Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment purchases                            (35,121)    (11,023)    (10,517)
Proceeds from equipment sales                                        1,280         659         511
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments                                                21,131    
Proceeds from maturities of short-term                                                       9,407
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Net Cash (used in) from Investing Activities                 (33,841)    (10,364)     20,532

Financing Activities
Proceeds from long-term debt and line of credit                    124,500      72,000      17,500
Payments on long-term debt and line of credit                     (137,500)    (79,000)    (27,500)
Proceeds from issuance of Common Stock                               3,914      17,514       1,540
Common Stock repurchased                                                                   (29,559)
Deferred issue costs                                                  (350)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Net Cash from (used in) Financing Activities                  (9,436)     10,514     (38,019)
 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                34,033        (968)     (2,031)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                       5,794       6,762       8,793
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                         $  39,827    $  5,794    $  6,762
================================================================================================== 
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
                  NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note A
      Summary of significant accounting policies
Description of Business  Varco International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the
"Company") are engaged in the design, manufacture, sale and rental of tools,
equipment and instrumentation used primarily in the worldwide oil and gas well
drilling equipment segment of the oil field service industry.  The Company
operates through five divisions: Varco Drilling Systems, whose products include
integrated systems for rotating and handling pipe on a drilling rig; Varco BJ
Oil Tools, whose products include pipe handling tools, hoisting equipment and
rotary equipment; Martin-Decker/TOTCO, whose instrumentation products are used
in the management of drilling operations and control of equipment; Shaffer,
whose products include pressure control and motion compensation equipment and
flow devices; and Thule Rigtech, whose products are used in the handling,
mixing, transport and conditioning of drilling fluids.

Principles of Consolidation  The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Varco International, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All
material intercompany items and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation.

Use of Estimates  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents  The Company considers all highly liquid investments
with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

Concentrations of Credit Risk  Substantially all of the Company's accounts
receivable are due from customers in the oil and gas industry, both in the
United States and internationally.  The Company performs periodic credit
evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral.  In
certain circumstances, the Company requires letters of credit to further ensure
credit worthiness.

Inventories  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The Company
determines the cost of inventories using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method.

Rental Equipment  Rental equipment is stated at the lower of cost or market, net
of accumulated depreciation of $18,261,000 and $14,136,000 at December 31, 1997
and 1996, respectively. Rental equipment is depreciated over estimated useful
lives ranging from 3 to 7 years. The equipment is generally leased under short-
term arrangements, usually not exceeding 90 days in duration.

Depreciation  Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over
estimated useful lives ranging from 3 to 30 years.

Intangible Assets  The excess of cost over net assets of businesses acquired
("goodwill") is amortized on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 10
to 40 years.  The carrying value of goodwill will be reviewed if the facts and
circumstances suggest that it may be impaired.  If this review indicates that
goodwill will not be recoverable, as determined based on the undiscounted cash
flows of the entity acquired over the remaining amortization period, the
Company's carrying value of the goodwill will be reduced by the estimated
shortfall of cash flows.  Included in Other Assets are other intangible assets
totaling $3,111,000, net of accumulated amortization of $5,891,000 at December
31, 1997, which are being amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated
useful lives ranging from 5 to 17 years.

Income Taxes  The liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial
reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the
enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are
expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to
reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be
realized. The provision for income taxes is the tax payable or refundable for
the period plus or minus the change during the period in deferred tax assets and
liabilities.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets  Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived
assets used in operations when indicators of impairment are present and the
undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than
the assets carrying amount. Long-lived assets expected to be disposed of,
including excess equipment and a production facility held for sale, are stated
at their estimated fair value less cost to sell.

Revenue Recognition  The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of product,
upon the use of rented equipment and upon the completion of installation work.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
Fair Value of Financial Instruments  The carrying amounts of financial
instruments including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and
accounts payable approximated fair value as of December 31, 1997 and 1996
because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The carrying
value of debt approximated fair value as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, based
upon quoted market prices for similar debt issues.

Foreign Currency  The Company has determined that the United States dollar is
the functional currency of all its foreign subsidiaries except for Rig
Technology Limited whose functional currency is the British pound sterling.
Accordingly, the financial statements of most foreign operations are remeasured
in terms of the United States dollar and exchange gains and losses are
recognized in operations. Exchange gains in 1997 and 1996 were $264,000 and
$283,000 respectively, while the exchange loss was $673,000 in 1995. Financial
statements of Rig Technology Limited are translated at current rates of
exchange, with gains or losses resulting from translation included as a separate
component of shareholders' equity.

Stock Based Compensation  The Company accounts for stock option grants in
accordance with APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees".

Per Share Data  In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 (SFAS 128), "Earnings per
Share".  SFAS 128 replaced the calculation of primary and fully diluted income
per share with basic and diluted income per share.  Unlike primary income per
share, basic income per share excludes any dilutive effects of options, warrants
and convertible securities.  Diluted income per share is very similar to the
previously reported fully diluted income per share.  All income per share
amounts for all periods have been presented and, where appropriate, restated to
conform to the SFAS 128 requirements. Basic per share amounts are computed by
dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.
Dilutive per share amounts are computed by dividing net income by the weighted
average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents, which
consist solely of outstanding stock options, using the treasury method.

Reclassification  Certain amounts in the 1996 and 1995 financial statements have
been reclassified to conform with current year classification.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130
("SFAS 130")  "Reporting Comprehensive Income" effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997.  This statement establishes standards for the
reporting and displaying of comprehensive income and its components.  The effect
of adopting SFAS No. 130 will be the inclusion of foreign currency translation
gains and losses as a component of comprehensive income.

  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ("SFAS 131") "Disclosures about Segments
of an Enterprise and Related Information" which is effective for fiscal years
beginning after December 15, 1997.  This statement establishes standards for the
way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments
in annual financial statements and requires that those enterprises report
selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports.  It
also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services,
geographic areas, and major customers.  The Company will adopt the new
requirements retroactively in 1998.  Management has not completed its review of
SFAS 131.

Note B
     Inventories
Inventories classified as current assets consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     December 31, (in thousands)                               1997        1996
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                                      <C>         <C>
     Raw materials                                            $  6,118    $  6,545
     Work in process                                            43,495      22,646
     Finished goods                                             95,063      77,150
     Excess of current cost over LIFO value                    (12,705)    (14,468)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                              $131,971    $ 91,873
     =============================================================================
</TABLE>

In 1995 LIFO layers of preceding years were reduced which decreased cost of
goods sold by $359,000. There was no such reduction in 1997 or 1996.  A portion
of the Company's inventory is not expected to be sold or used within one 

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
year and, accordingly has been reclassified as Other Assets. The amount of
inventory estimated to exceed one year's usage was $3,500,000 at December 31,
1997 and 1996.
 
Note C
     Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                               Estimated
                                                                                            Useful Lives
          December 31, (in thousands)                                   1997       1996          (Years)       
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                                            <C>        <C>         <C>        
     Land                                                           $  2,663   $  2,574                    
     Building and improvements                                        28,825     25,115           3-30     
     Machinery and equipment                                          83,187     59,911           5-12     
     Furniture and fixtures                                           20,447     14,764            3-5     
     Autos and trucks                                                  1,209        881            3-5     
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     136,331    103,245                    
     Less accumulated depreciation                                                                         
      and amortization                                                62,469     54,534                    
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $ 73,862   $ 48,711                     
     ================================================================================================== 
</TABLE>

 
Note D
     Income taxes
Significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     December 31, (in thousands)                           1997       1996
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                                 <C>        <C>
     Deferred tax liabilities:
      Tax over book depreciation                         $ 3,805    $ 3,720
     Deferred tax assets:
      Intercompany profit elimination                      5,635      4,547
      Postretirement benefit obligation                    3,141      2,131
      Allowance for loss on sale of assets                 1,937      1,853
      Allowance for excess inventory                       2,320      1,798
      Foreign net operating loss carryforward                         1,099
      Allowance for warranty cost                          1,617      1,128
      Accruals                                             2,381      1,576
      Other                                                1,666      1,132
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total deferred tax assets                            18,697     15,264
     Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets          (3,206)    (3,206)
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net deferred tax assets                              15,491     12,058
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net deferred taxes                                   11,686      8,338
     ======================================================================
     Current deferred tax assets                         $12,723    $ 9,678
     Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities                  (1,037)    (1,340)
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net deferred taxes                                  $11,686    $ 8,338
     ======================================================================
</TABLE> 
 
United States and foreign income (loss) before income taxes and the components
of income tax expense are as follows:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
 
     (in thousands)                               1997       1996       1995
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                          <C>        <C>        <C> 
     Income (loss) before income taxes:
      U.S.                                        $59,279    $28,347    $23,260
      Foreign                                      17,417      9,741     (1,352)
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  $76,696    $38,088    $21,908
     ==========================================================================
</TABLE> 
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
Income tax expense (benefit):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     (in thousands)                                                     1997       1996       1995

     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                                             <C>       <C>         <C>
     Current:
      U.S.                                                          $ 21,340    $13,137    $ 8,450
      Foreign                                                          5,577      2,913        881
      State                                                            1,146        850        545
      Utilization of net operating losses and credits                 (1,099)    (1,750)      (899)
      Tax benefits credited to paid-in capital                         3,206      1,168        294
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      30,170     16,318      9,271
     Deferred:
      U.S.                                                            (4,448)    (3,773)      (655)
      Foreign                                                          1,099      1,001     (1,147)
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    $ 26,821    $13,546    $ 7,469
     ==============================================================================================
</TABLE>

Differences between the Company's income tax expense and an amount calculated
utilizing the federal statutory rate are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

     (in thousands)                                                        1997       1996      1995

     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                                                 <C>        <C>        <C>
     At federal statutory rate                                          $26,844    $13,331    $7,668

     Increases (reductions) in taxes:
      FSC benefit                                                        (2,069)    (1,278)     (973)
      Financial statement benefit from credit carryovers                                        (418)
      Tax impact of non-deductible expenses                                 772        664       797
      State taxes, net of federal benefit                                   745        552       354
      Tax rate differential on foreign earnings and losses 
       recorded without tax benefit                                         519        504       206
      Other                                                                  10       (227)     (165)
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Total tax provision                                                $26,821    $13,546    $7,469
     ===============================================================================================
</TABLE>

  Income taxes paid net of refunds received in 1997, 1996, and 1995 were
$24,393,000, $11,222,000 and $7,007,000, respectively.
  The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for
the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995.  Management believes the resolution
of this examination will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
financial position.

NOTE E
     Long-term debt
Long-term debt consists of notes payable to institutional investors under an
8.95% Senior Note Agreement (the "Note Agreement").  Principal is due in five
equal annual installments which commenced June 30, 1995 and interest is payable
semi-annually.  The Note Agreement contains restrictive covenants requiring the
maintenance of certain financial ratios, limitations on additional borrowings
and capital expenditures, and restrictions on distribution of cash or other
property. The remaining balance is payable in two installments.  The first
installment of $ 10.0 million is due and payable June 30, 1998 and the second
consisting of all unpaid principal is due June 30, 1999.
  The Company has a seven-year unsecured revolving credit agreement, dated June
27, 1997, with three banks 

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
(the "Credit Agreement"). The Credit Agreement provides for a credit facility of
$65.0 million, inclusive of a $20.0 million letter of credit sub-facility. The
maximum available under the Credit Agreement is reduced in equal quarterly
amounts over the last four years of the Credit Agreement. Advances under the
Credit Agreement bear interest at either a prime rate minus .25% or a rate based
on the Eurodollar Market. The Credit Agreement requires a commitment fee of .25%
of the unused portion of the credit facility, restricts additional borrowings if
minimum asset levels are not met and contains restrictive covenants requiring
the maintenance of certain financial ratios, limitations on additional
borrowings and capital expenditures, and restrictions on distributions of cash
or other property. At December 31, 1997, there were no advances outstanding and
$18.1 million in letters of credit outstanding under this facility.
  Interest paid during 1997, 1996 and 1995 was $3,664,000, $5,470,000 and
$2,504,000, respectively.

NOTE F
     Shareholders' equity
On November 6, 1997 the Board of Directors of the Company declared a two-for-one
stock split of its Common Stock, payable in the form of a 100% stock dividend on
December 4, 1997 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November
20, 1997.  Stock options, and all other agreements payable in the Company's
Common Stock, have been adjusted to reflect the split.  In addition the balance
shown as Common Stock has been increased to reflect the split with a
corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital.  All references to number
of shares, except shares authorized, in the consolidated financial statements
and related notes have been adjusted to reflect the stock split on a retroactive
basis.
  The Varco 1980 Employee Stock Purchase Plan permits its employees to purchase
Common Stock at a price equal to 85% of the fair market value at the beginning
or end of a six month plan period. As of December 31, 1997, 2,381,122 shares
have been sold under this plan with a maximum of 4,000,000 shares available for
sale under this plan.
  The Varco International, Inc. Stock Bonus Plan (the "Bonus Plan") authorizes
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors to award additional
compensation to selected key employees of the Company in the form of stock
awards payable in shares of Common Stock of the Company to a maximum of
2,000,000 shares.  Through December 31, 1997, 771,600 shares have been granted
and issued to key employees under the Bonus Plan.
  The Varco International, Inc. 1990 Stock Option Plan permits and predecessor
plans permitted, the grant of incentive and non-statutory options to key
employees and officers. Options granted under the plans must be not less than
the fair market value of the stock on the date of Grant. Options are exercisable
during such periods as determined by the Compensation Committee and expire not
later than ten years from the date of the grant.
  The Varco International, Inc. 1994 Directors' Stock Option Plan provides for
the grant of a 10,000 share stock option on the initial date of election as a
director plus an annual grant of a 10,000 share stock option to each non-
employee director.  Options granted under this plan are at fair market value of
the stock on the date of grant.  Options are exercisable for ten years from the
date of the grant unless sooner terminated.

Stock option activity for the plans was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                    1997                    1996                  1995
                                            --------------------     ------------------   --------------------
                                                        Weighted               Weighted               Weighted
                                                         Average                Average                Average
                                                        Exercise               Exercise               Exercise
                                              Options      Price       Options    Price     Options      Price
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                    <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>      <C>           <C> 
     Outstanding at beginning of year       2,587,968      $3.80     2,529,338    $3.00   2,217,244      $2.78
     Granted                                  557,502      13.25       739,718     5.54     660,314       3.46
     Exercised                                790,386       3.40       641,888     2.55     340,620       2.41
     Canceled                                  30,360       7.54        39,200     3.74       7,600       3.61
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Outstanding at end of year             2,324,724      $6.15     2,587,968    $3.80   2,529,338      $3.00
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Exercisable at end of year               803,788                1,030,020            1,213,904
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 </TABLE>
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                            Options Outstanding                         Options Exercisable
                              ---------------------------------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                       Weighted
                                              Average Remaining          Weighted                       Weighted
                                   Number      Contractual Life           Average        Number          Average
   Range of Exercise Prices   Outstanding               (Years)    Exercise Price   Exercisable   Exercise Price
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   <S>                        <C>             <C>                  <C>              <C>           <C>
     $2.28 to $4.625            1,127,168                  5.49            $ 3.06       660,916            $3.05
     $5.25 to $7.91               646,754                  8.12              5.48       142,872             5.65
     $12.468 to $18.672           550,802                  9.15             13.26
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     $2.28 to $18.672           2,324,724                  7.09            $ 6.14       803,788            $3.51
</TABLE>

In 1996, the Company adopted the disclosure provisions of FASB No. 123
"Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". As permitted by that standard, the
Company continues to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees in accounting for its plans.
Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for its stock option
plans and its stock purchase plan. Compensation cost charged against income for
its stock bonus plan was $569,000, $343,000 and $334,000 for the years 1997,
1996 and 1995, respectively. Had compensation costs for the Company's stock
option plans and stock purchase plan been determined based upon fair value at
the grant date under these plans consistent with FASB No. 123 methodology, the
Company's net income and income per share would have been reduced to the pro
forma amounts shown below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                            1997          1996          1995
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                                 <C>           <C>           <C>
     Net income - as reported            $49,875,000   $24,542,000   $14,439,000
     Net income - pro forma               48,574,000    23,833,000    14,052,000
     As reported -
          Basic income  per share        $       .78   $       .39   $       .23
          Diluted income  per share              .76           .38           .22
     Pro forma -
          Basic income  per share        $       .76   $       .38   $       .22
          Diluted income  per share              .74           .38           .22
</TABLE> 
 
The fair value of shares is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing
model with the following weighted average assumptions.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                       1990 Stock       1994 Directors       1980 Stock
                                      Option Plan    Stock Option Plan    Purchase Plan
     ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                              <C>            <C>                  <C> 
     Expected life (years)                     6                    3               .5
     Risk-free interest rate
      1997                                  6.25%                   6%             5.2%
      1996                                   6.2%                   6%             5.2%
     Volatility
      1997                                    45%                  45%              45%
      1996                                    42%                  42%              42%

</TABLE>

For the options granted during 1997, 1996 and 1995, the weighted-average fair
value at date of grant was $6.05, $2.65 and $1.64 per option, respectively.  The
weighted-average fair value at date of grant for stock purchase shares during
1997, 1996 and 1995 was $2.35, $.96 and $.57 per share, respectively.   The
discounted value of the stock purchase plan shares granted in 1997, 1996 and
1995 using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model was $277,000, $178,000 and

                                      32
<PAGE>
 
$146,000, respectively.  At December 31, 1997, the Company had reserved
6,162,002 shares of Common Stock for future issuance in connection with the four
stock-based compensation plans.
  On March 24, 1995, the Company commenced a "Dutch Auction" type tender offer
(the "Tender Offer") to purchase up to 5,300,000 shares of its Common Stock.
Pursuant to the Tender Offer, which terminated on April 21, 1995, the Company
purchased 6,301,120 shares of its Common Stock at a purchase price of $4.00 per
share.  The aggregate cost to the Company of the Tender Offer, including
expenses, was approximately $26.2 million.  In addition, the Board of Directors
had authorized a stock repurchase program allowing the repurchase of up to
3,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price
not exceeding $11,000,000.  This program terminated on December 31, 1996. Prior
to the termination of this program, the Company had repurchased on the open
market 1,255,200 shares of its Common Stock at an average price of approximately
$4.00 per share.
  On May 29, 1996, the Company completed the sale of 989,406 shares of its
Common Stock at a price to the public of $15.875 per share.   A portion of the
net proceeds from the sale of approximately $14.6 million was used to make the
$10.0 million principal payment due  June 30, 1996 on the Senior Notes.
  During 1997, the Company adopted a Shareholder Rights Plan ("Rights Plan").
As part of the Rights Plan, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend
of one preferred stock purchase right  ("Right") for each share of the Company's
Common Stock outstanding on November 27, 1997.  The Board also authorized the
issuance of one such Right for each share of the Company's Common Stock issued
thereafter.
  The Rights will become exercisable only if, without the prior approval of the
Board, a person or group acquires 15% or more of Varco's Common Stock or
announces a tender or exchange offer, the consummation of which would result in
ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the Common Stock.
  Each Right entitles its holder to purchase one-thousandth of a share of a
new series of the Company's Preferred Stock at an exercise price of $140.00.
If a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company's outstanding Common
Stock, each Right will entitle its holder (other than the acquiring person or
group) to purchase at the Right's then-current exercise price, a number of
shares of Varco Common Stock (or in certain circumstances, cash, property or
other securities) having a market value equal to twice the exercise price.  In
addition, if at any time after such an acquisition, the Company is acquired in a
merger or other business combination transaction or 50% or more of its
consolidated assets or earning power are sold, each outstanding Right will
entitle its holder (other than the acquiring person or group) to purchase, at
the Right's then-current exercise price, a number of the acquiring person(s)
common shares having a market value equal to twice the exercise price.
  Following the acquisition by a person or group of beneficial ownership of 15%
or more of the Company's Common Stock and prior to an acquisition of 50% or more
of the Common Stock, the Board of Directors may exchange the Rights (other than
Rights owned by the acquiring person or group), in whole or in part, at an
exchange ratio of one share of Common Stock (or in certain circumstances, cash,
property or other securities) per Right.
  Prior to the acquisition by a person or group of 15% or more of the Common
Stock, the Rights are subject to redemption at the option of the Board of
Directors at a price of $0.01 per Right. The Rights currently trade with the
Company's Common Stock, have no voting or dividend rights and expire on November
5, 2007.

NOTE G
     Commitments and contingencies

The Company leases land and its executive offices in Orange, California under
two operating leases, from certain officers, directors, and shareholders of the
Company.  The land lease expires in 2012, has an annual aggregate rental of
$480,000 (subject to upward adjustment in 2002 based on appraisals) plus real
estate taxes and other expenses.  The Company has the option to purchase the
leased land at a price equal to the greater of the original cost of the property
to the lessors or the fair market value at the time of purchase.  The office
lease expires in 2005 and has an aggregate annual rental of $363,000 (subject to
periodic upward adjustments based upon the consumer price index.) The Company
has an option to extend this lease for 60 months based on the then fair market
rent of the building.

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
  The Company leases most of its sales, service and distribution facilities
under agreements ranging from one to eight years.
  Approximate minimum annual rental payments under noncancelable operating
leases as of December 31, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     (in thousands)    Real Estate     Equipment    Total

     -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>            <C>        <C>
     1998                  2,431         3,314       5,745
     1999                  1,986         2,531       4,517
     2000                  1,784         1,380       3,164
     2001                  1,224           467       1,691
     2002                  1,102           127       1,229 
     Thereafter            6,948                     6,948
     -----------------------------------------------------
                         $15,475        $7,819     $23,294 
     =====================================================
</TABLE>
Rent expense amounted to $6,696,000, $5,185,000, and $4,641,000 for 1997, 1996,
and 1995, respectively.
 
  The Company is sometimes named as a defendant in litigation relating to the
products and services it provides. The Company insures against these risks to
the extent deemed prudent by its management, but no assurance can be given that
the nature and amount of such insurance will in every case fully indemnify the
Company against liabilities arising out of pending and future legal proceedings
relating to its ordinary business activities. The Company provides for costs
related to these contingencies when a loss is probable. It is the opinion of
management that it is remote that there will be an unfavorable resolution in
excess of amounts previously provided.
  The Company has been designated as a potentially responsible party ("PRP") for
two separate waste disposal sites.  With respect to both of the sites, numerous
other PRPs have similarly been designated.  In one case the Company has a
contribution agreement with other PRPs, and settlements and costs paid by the
Company have not been significant.  In the opinion of the Company's management
neither these nor other environmental matters would have a material adverse
effect on the consolidated financial position of the Company.

NOTE H
     Benefit Plans
The Company has a contributory profit sharing plan covering eligible U.S.
employees and certain foreign employees with more than one year's service.
Under the plan, the Company contributes from 2% to 20% of its net income (as
defined) at the discretion of the Board of Directors.  The total contribution
may not exceed the maximum amount allowable for income tax purposes.
Contributions to the plan amounted to $5,000,000, $2,400,000, and $1,450,000,
for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  In 1993, the Company amended its Profit
Sharing Plan to designate a portion of profit sharing contributions for retiree
healthcare and life insurance benefits for certain eligible employees retiring
after December 31, 1993.  In 1995 the plan was further amended to include an
employer matching contribution.  The Company's matching contribution amounted to
$831,000 and $651,000 in 1997 and 1996, respectively.
  The Company also has a supplemental defined benefits plan providing retirement
and death benefits for a number of key employees.  The plan is unfunded and the
net pension liability was $2,811,000 and $2,241,000 at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.  Expense under the plan was $652,000, $602,000, and $300,000
in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
  For certain former employees who retired prior to December 31, 1993,
healthcare and life insurance benefits are provided through insurance companies.
In 1993 the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 106, "Accounting for
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions".  The transition obligation is
being amortized over 20 years.

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
  The following table presents the funded status of the defined benefit health
care and life insurance plan, reconciled with amounts recognized in the
Company's balance sheet:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
     December 31, (in thousands)                             1997        1996

     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>
     ACCUMULATED POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS      $(10,758)   $(12,172)
     UNRECOGNIZED NET GAIN                                 (7,235)     (6,110)
     UNRECOGNIZED TRANSITION OBLIGATION                    11,432      12,195
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         $ (6,561)     (6,087)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Net periodic postretirement benefit cost
      includes the following components:
       INTEREST COST                                     $    856    $    854
       AMORTIZATION OF TRANSITION OBLIGATION                  763         763
       AMORTIZATION OF (GAIN)                                (378)       (382)
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         $  1,241    $  1,235
     ========================================================================
</TABLE>

The assumed weighted-average annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of
covered benefits is 8% for 1998 and is assumed to decrease gradually to 5.5% for
2011 and remain at that level thereafter.  The health care cost trend rate
assumption has a significant effect on the amounts reported.  For example,
increasing the assumed health care cost trend rates by one percentage point in
each year would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation as of
December 31, 1997 by $992,000 and the aggregate of the service and interest cost
components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost for 1997 by $93,000.
  The weighted-average discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 7% and 7.25% at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively.
  The Company has an Executive Management Savings Plan and a Directors Saving
Plan (the Plans) which permit eligible executives and the Company's non-employee
directors to defer a portion of their compensation.  Participants in the Plans
may also participate in the Company's "split-dollar" life insurance program
pursuant to which the Company will purchase a life insurance policy for a
premium equal to the amounts deferred plus any additional amount required to
provide a minimum death benefit.  Amounts payable to a participant under the
Plans are offset by any benefits paid under the participant's life insurance
policy.  The life insurance policies are intended to provide security for the
payment of benefits under the Plans.

NOTE  I
     Selected quarterly financial data (unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
      (in thousands, except per share data)          1st Quarter     2nd Quarter       3rd Quarter    4th Quarter

      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>               <C>         <C>
      1997                                                                                            
      REVENUES                                          $101,071        $129,634          $140,408       $174,676
      GROSS PROFIT                                        34,612          44,645            52,067         65,645
      INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                          11,506          16,593            20,811         27,786
      PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                           4,122           5,823             7,410          9,466
      NET INCOME                                           7,384          10,770            13,401         18,320
      BASIC INCOME PER SHARE                                 .12             .17               .21            .29
      DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE                               .11             .17               .21            .28

      1996                                                                                                       
      REVENUES                                          $ 70,969        $ 90,350          $ 98,112       $108,991
      GROSS PROFIT                                        24,746          29,976            32,969         38,125
      INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES                           4,765           8,491            11,232         13,600
      PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES                           1,737           2,812             4,065          4,932
      NET INCOME                                           3,028           5,679             7,167          8,668
      BASIC INCOME PER SHARE                                 .05             .09               .11            .14
      DILUTED INCOME PER SHARE                               .05             .09               .11            .13 
</TABLE> 
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
NOTE  J
      Geographic information
Information about the Company's worldwide operations for 1997, 1996 and 1995
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Adjustments &
        (in thousands)               United States   Europe      Asia     Eliminations    Consolidated

       -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                             <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>             <C>
       1997
       SALES AND RENTALS TO
        UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS          $417,959    $ 88,515   $ 38,423     $               $544,897
       INTERCOMPANY SALES                 43,237      27,506     13,705      (84,448)
        TOTAL SALES AND RENTALS          461,196     116,021     52,128      (84,448)        544,897
       INCOME BEFORE TAXES                55,871      18,338      2,487                       76,696
       IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS               370,673      76,425     24,031                      471,129

       1996
       SALES AND RENTALS TO
        UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS          $271,519    $ 62,011    $33,450     $               $366,980
       INTERCOMPANY SALES                 42,538      25,533      1,552      (69,623)
        TOTAL SALES AND RENTALS          314,057      87,544     35,002      (69,623)        366,980
       INCOME BEFORE TAXES                25,691      11,703        694                       38,088
       IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS               237,195      60,109     18,717                      316,021

       1995
       SALES AND RENTALS TO
        UNAFFILIATED CUSTOMERS          $194,941    $ 57,081    $20,329     $               $272,351
       INTERCOMPANY SALES                 33,974      19,684      1,000      (54,658)
        TOTAL SALES AND RENTALS          228,915      76,765     21,329      (54,658)        272,351
       INCOME BEFORE TAXES                15,174       5,248      1,486                       21,908
       IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS               181,027      53,326     12,444                      246,797
</TABLE>
 
Intercompany sales are transferred at prices that approximate those charged to
third party distributors. 
     International sales from all of the Company's operating locations are
principally to the following geographic areas:
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
       (in thousands)                  1997        1996         1995   
                                                                       
       ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
       <S>                           <C>         <C>           <C>     
       EUROPE                        $101,038    $101,993      $ 83,496
       ASIA AND AUSTRALIA              76,936      57,702        45,480
       AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST          48,037      30,418        21,217
       SOUTH AMERICA                   45,843      27,277        22,797
       CANADA                          19,283      16,606         8,539
       MEXICO                           6,349       4,483         1,125
       FORMER SOVIET UNION              5,385       8,501         6,359
       MISCELLANEOUS                     (115)        107           174
       ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                     $302,756    $247,087      $189,187
       ================================================================ 
</TABLE>
During 1996 sales to one customer amounted to $45,228,000. There were no sales
to a single customer in 1997 and 1995 in excess of 10% of total sales.

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

Shareholders and Board of Directors
Varco International, Inc.

We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of Varco International, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated
statements of income, shareholders equity and cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1997.  These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
  In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above
present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Varco International, Inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996, and
the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of
the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles.

 
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP 

Orange County, California
February 12, 1998
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                               STOCK INFORMATION


Price Range of Varco Common Stock
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the high and low sale
prices per share of Common Stock reported by the New York Stock Exchange. All
per share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the two-for-one stock split.
There were 1,639 holders of record of the Common Stock as of the close of
business on March 2, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           High         Low                         High       Low

     ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     <S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>               <C>       <C>
     1997                                        1996
     First Quarter         14 5/8     10 1/2     First Quarter     6 7/16    4 3/8
     Second Quarter        16 3/16    10 3/16    Second Quarter    9 7/16    6 1/16
     Third Quarter         24 7/8     14 13/16   Third Quarter     9 11/16   7
     Fourth Quarter        33 13/16   17         Fourth Quarter    12 3/8    8 3/4
</TABLE>

Dividend Policy
The payment of dividends (other than dividends payable solely in shares of
Common Stock) on, and repurchases of, Common Stock are restricted by the note
agreement between Varco and its institutional lenders and Varco's revolving
credit agreement with three financial institutions. Under the revolving credit
agreement, which is generally the more restrictive, the amount available for the
payment of dividends on, and repurchases of, Common Stock is limited to
$5,000,000 plus 25% of Varco's consolidated net income arising after June 30,
1997, computed on a cumulative basis. At December 31, 1997, the amount available
for dividends and repurchases under the credit agreement was $12,930,000. The
Company may also purchase or otherwise acquire shares of Common Stock from the
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale of shares of Common Stock.
  The Company has not paid a dividend on the Common Stock since 1982, and the
Board of Directors presently has no plans to resume the payment of dividends.

Annual Meeting
The Varco International, Inc. 1998 Annual Meeting will be held May 19, 1998 at
the Doubletree Hotel, 100 The City Drive, Orange, California.  All shareholders
are cordially invited to attend.

Annual Report on Form 10-K
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997,
as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is available by writing to
Donald L. Stichler, Controller-Treasurer and Secretary, Varco International,
Inc., 743 North Eckhoff Street, Orange, California 92868.

Common Stock
The Company's Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol VRC.

Transfer Agent & Registrar
Harris Trust Company of California
Los Angeles, California

e-mail
[email protected]

web site
http://www.varco.com

                                      38
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                         <C>                           <C>                         <C> 
Corporate               
Headquarters                Board of Directors                                                                                  
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Varco International, Inc.   Walter B. Reinhold            Jack W. Knowlton*+           Eugene R. White                          
743 North Eckhoff Street    Chairman of the Board         President                    Retired Chairman of the Board            
Orange, California 92868                                  The Knowlton Co.             Amdahl Corporation                       
(714) 978-1900                                                                                                                  
                            George Boyadjieff             Leo J. Pircher               James D. Woods+
Operating Units             President and                 Partner                      Chairman Emeritus and                    
                            Chief Executive Officer       Pircher, Nichols & Meeks     Consultant to Baker Hughes Incorporated  
Martin-Decker/TOTCO         of the Company                                                                                      
1200 Cypress Creek Road                                                                *  Member of the Audit Committee         
Cedar Park, Texas  78613    George S. Dotson              Carroll W. Suggs             +  Member of the Compensation Committee  
(512) 340-5000              President                     Chairman of the Board                                                 
                            Helmerich & Payne             Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.                                           
Shaffer                     International Drilling Co.                                                                          
12950 West Little York                                                                                                          
Houston, Texas  77041       Andre R. Horn*                Robert A. Teitsworth*+                                                
(713) 937-5000              Chairman Emeritus             Independent Oil & Gas
                            Needham & Company, Inc.       Producer
Thule Rigtech
South College Street        Officers
Aberdeen, Scotland          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AB1 2LP                     Varco International, Inc.     Andrew P. Lesko              James P. Lawler
                                                          Vice President -             Vice President -
Varco BJ Oil Tools          Walter B. Reinhold            Top Drive Systems            Manufacturing
Nijverheidsweg 45           Chairman of the Board
4879 AP Etten-Leur                                        James Gregory Renfro         Charles A. Shamburg
The Netherlands             George Boyadjieff             Vice President -             Vice President - Finance
and                         President and                 Manufacturing
12950 West Little York      Chief Executive Officer                                    Terry L. Tarvin
Houston, Texas  77041                                     Michael Williams             Vice President -
(713) 937-5000              Robert J. Gondek              Vice President - Sales       North American Operations
                            Vice President
Varco Drilling Systems                                    Dennis E. Yenzer             Keith A. Womer
743 North Eckhoff Street    Richard A. Kertson            Vice President -             Vice President -
Orange, California  92868   Vice President - Finance      Pipe Handling Systems        Research and Development
(714) 978-1900
                            Mark A. Merit                 Varco BJ Oil Tools           Shaffer
Independent                 Vice President
Accountants                                               Michael W. Sutherlin         Mark A. Merit
                            Roger D. Morgan               President                    President
Ernst & Young LLP           Vice President
Orange County                                             Robert R.D. deVries          Thomas E. Bishop                         
                            Michael W. Sutherlin          Vice President -             Vice President -                         
General Counsel             Vice President                Sales and Marketing          Sales and Service                        
                                                                                                                                
Pircher, Nichols & Meeks    Donald L. Stichler            Mark D. Galagaza             John J. Clemens                          
Los Angeles                 Vice President                Vice President -             Vice President -                         
                            Controller - Treasurer and    Manufacturing                Quality Assurance                        
                            Secretary                                                                                           
                                                          David B. Mason               E. J. Devine                             
                            Theresa M. Hope               Vice President -             Vice President - Finance                 
                            Staff Vice President -        Product Development                                                   
                            Human Resources                                            Tri C. Le                                
                                                          Rob C. Voesenek              Vice President -                         
                            Varco                         Vice President - Finance     Engineering                              
                            Drilling Systems                                                                                    
                                                          Martin-Decker/TOTCO          Lowell B. Stouder                        
                            Roger D. Morgan                                            Vice President -                         
                            President                     Robert J. Gondek             Manufacturing                            
                                                          President                                                             
                            Wallace K. Chan                                            Thule Rigtech                            
                            Vice President - Finance      David A. Close                                                        
                                                          Vice President -             Roderick K. Abbott                       
                            Brian L. Eidem                Business Development         Vice President -                         
                            Vice President -                                           Engineering                              
                            R&D Engineering               Ellis Greg Hottle                                                     
                                                          Vice President -             R. Alan Oswald                           
                            Jerry A. Gill                 International Operations     Secretary                                
                            Vice President                      
                                                          
                            Maurice E. Jacques            
                            Vice President - Marketing
</TABLE> 

                                      39

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 21
 
                   SUBSIDIARIES OF VARCO INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                ALL 100% OWNED
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                            JURISDICTION OF
                            INCORPORATION                       ADDRESS
                            --------------                      -------
<S>                         <C>                   <C>  
Best Industries, Inc.        Texas                 12950 West Little York
                                                   Houston. Texas 77041
                                                   --------------------
 
Varco de Mexico              California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
Holdings, Inc.                                     Orange. California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Martin-Decker TOTCO, Inc.    Texas                 1200 Cypress Creek Road
                                                   Cedar Park, Texas 78613
                                                   -----------------------
 
Metrox, Inc.                 California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange. California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Varco Shaffer, Inc.          Texas                 12950 W. Little York
                                                   Houston. Texas 77041
                                                   --------------------

Varco International Inc      Singapore             No. 8 Sixth Lok Yang Road
Pte Ltd                                            Jurong
                                                   Singapore 2262
                                                   --------------

Varco BJ 0il Tools B.V.      The Netherlands       Nijverheidsweg 45
                                                   4879 AP Etten-Leur
                                                   P.O. Box 17, 4870 AA Etten-Leur
                                                   The Netherlands
                                                   ---------------

Varco (U.K.) Limited         United Kingdom        Forties Road, Montrose
                                                   Angus. Scotland
                                                   ---------------

Varco BJ FSC Inc.            Barbados              743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------

304774 Alberta Ltd.          Alberta, Canada       Bay 15 - 2916 5th Ave. N.E.
                                                   Calgary, Alberta T2A 6M7
                                                   Canada
                                                   ------

Rig Technology Limited       United Kingdom        South College Street
                                                   Aberdeen, Scotland
                                                   ------------------
</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21
                                                                     PAGE 2 OF 2

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                            JURISDICTION OF
INACTIVE SUBSIDIARIES       INCORPORATION                       ADDRESS
- ---------------------       ---------------                     -------
<S>                         <C>                   <C>  
Varco Marine Tools           Texas                 12950 West Little York
International, Inc.                                Houston, Texas 77041
                                                   --------------------
  
Varco-Disc                   California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Best Disc                    Texas                 12950 West Little York
                                                   Houston, Texas 77041
                                                   ----------------------
 
Varco Eastern, Inc.          California            743 NO. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
  
Varco International          Netherlands           P.O. Box 507
Finance N.V.                 Antilles              Curacao
                                                   -------
 
Varco Singapore, Ltd.        California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Varco Middle East            California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Varco Electronics, Inc.      California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
 
Varco Electronics Disc       California            743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------

Varco Del Venezuela CA       Venezuela             743 No. Eckhoff Street
                                                   Orange, California 92868
                                                   ------------------------
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
Exhibit 23

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

  We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements Number
2-66830, 2-96290, 33-36841, 33-62118, 33-61861, 33-61939 and 333-21681 on Form 
S-8 of Varco International, Inc. and in the related Prospectuses of our report 
dated February 12, 1998, with respect to the consolidated financial statements 
and schedule of Varco International, Inc. included in the annual report on Form 
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.



/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Orange County, California
March 19, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE REGISTRANT INCLUDED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN
ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1997
<CASH>                                      39,827,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                              144,445,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (2,121,000)
<INVENTORY>                                131,971,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           331,518,000
<PP&E>                                     136,331,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (62,469,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             471,129,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                      195,367,000
<BONDS>                                      9,520,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                   151,222,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 101,977,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               471,129,000
<SALES>                                    544,897,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           545,789,000
<CGS>                                      347,928,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              444,326,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            21,084,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,683,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             76,696,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                26,821,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         49,875,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                49,875,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.78
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.76
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE REGISTRANT INCLUDED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 AS RESTATED TO
REFLECT RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS TO CONFORM WITH DECEMBER 31, 1997
CLASSIFICATIONS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                       5,794,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               96,916,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,756,000)
<INVENTORY>                                 91,873,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           206,662,000
<PP&E>                                     103,245,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (54,534,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             316,021,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       86,416,000
<BONDS>                                     22,715,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                   143,533,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  51,975,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               316,021,000
<SALES>                                    366,980,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           368,422,000
<CGS>                                      241,164,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              312,055,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            14,331,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           3,948,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             38,088,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                13,546,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         24,542,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                24,542,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.39
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.38
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS RESTATED SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE REGISTRANT INCLUDED IN ITS ANNUAL REPORT TO
SHAREHOLDERS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995 AS RESTATED TO
REFLECT RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN AMOUNTS TO CONFORM WITH DECEMBER 31, 1997
CLASSIFICATIONS AND IF QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1995
<CASH>                                       6,762,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               62,268,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (1,585,000)
<INVENTORY>                                 70,832,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           146,940,000
<PP&E>                                      93,636,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (48,376,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             246,571,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       57,753,000
<BONDS>                                     29,539,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                   124,552,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  26,627,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               246,571,000
<SALES>                                    272,351,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           273,731,000
<CGS>                                      173,137,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                              234,151,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                            13,156,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,516,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             21,908,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 7,469,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         14,439,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                14,439,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.23
        

</TABLE>


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